(670 The Score) During his introduction as the Bears’ new head coach, Ben Johnson directed a verbal jab north toward Green Bay.
“To be quite frank with you, I kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year,” Johnson said on Jan. 22 at Halas Hall, referencing his tenure as the Lions’ offensive coordinator.
The comments were unexpected given that Johnson and LaFleur have never worked together and don't have a prior connection. For his part, LaFleur took the jab in stride, telling reporters Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings that Johnson was simply working his new audience in Chicago.
“I’m sure he’s playing to the fans a little bit,” LaFleur said. “It is what it is. I’m not going to lose too much sleep over that.”
The Lions went 5-1 against the Packers while Johnson served as Detroit's offensive coordinator across the past three seasons. That included the Lions' stunning 20-16 win at Lambeau Field on Jan. 8, 2023, as that loss for the Packers prevented them from reaching the playoffs in star quarterback Aaron Rodgers' final game with the franchise.
The Bears have beaten the Packers just three times since 2013, including a 24-22 win at Lambeau Field on Jan. 5 to conclude this past season. Just more than two weeks later, the Bears hired Johnson as their new head coach.