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When Ben Johnson was hired as Chicago Bears head coach, he made it clear that he "enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year" during his time as offensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions. Following Saturday night's stunning 31-27 comeback win in the wild card playoffs, Johnson got his wish with Chicago.
The Bears won the season series against the Packers, 2-1, after both teams split the pair of regular-season meetings. But Saturday night's was the biggest to date, and Johnson's team once again overcame impossible odds to orchestrate one of the best comebacks in franchise history.
There's no love lost between Johnson and LaFleur, and in Year 1 no doubt, and their third postgame handshake was the most entertaining yet. It was another quick handshake between the pair of head coaches, where Johnson was short and sweet, similarly to LaFleur back during their first postgame handshake, and proceeded to celebrate with his team.
And it appears there's a reason why Johnson reacted the way he did. Outside of the overall excitement of the improbable comeback win, Johnson told reporters that he heard all of the talking from the Packers in the week leading up to the game.
“There was probably a little bit more noise coming out of their building up north to start of the week — which we heard loud and clear, players and coaches alike," Johnson said. "So this one meant something to us."
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: NFL world reacts to Ben Johnson-Matt LaFleur postgame handshake
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The Bears won the season series against the Packers, 2-1, after both teams split the pair of regular-season meetings. But Saturday night's was the biggest to date, and Johnson's team once again overcame impossible odds to orchestrate one of the best comebacks in franchise history.
There's no love lost between Johnson and LaFleur, and in Year 1 no doubt, and their third postgame handshake was the most entertaining yet. It was another quick handshake between the pair of head coaches, where Johnson was short and sweet, similarly to LaFleur back during their first postgame handshake, and proceeded to celebrate with his team.
Quick handshake between Ben Johnson and Matt LaFleur
( Prime) pic.twitter.com/qYSKlSG5bK
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 11, 2026
The Ben Johnson/Matt LaFleur handshake from this angle is even better: https://t.co/sydThdOuVxpic.twitter.com/JphDeZB14g
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 11, 2026
And it appears there's a reason why Johnson reacted the way he did. Outside of the overall excitement of the improbable comeback win, Johnson told reporters that he heard all of the talking from the Packers in the week leading up to the game.
“There was probably a little bit more noise coming out of their building up north to start of the week — which we heard loud and clear, players and coaches alike," Johnson said. "So this one meant something to us."
NFL world reacts to Ben Johnson-Matt LaFleur postgame handshake
They both hate e/o and that is exactly how I want it https://t.co/6EN9tO1nVh
— Peter Charles VII (@pete_chuck_vii) January 11, 2026
MY HC IS A DEMON https://t.co/X00YhSCUKdpic.twitter.com/6RTQxr5I69
— adam (@FeebleTeamFan) January 11, 2026
Sorry but LaFleur needs to stay, we can’t be one season and done with this rivalry https://t.co/X4N4Xnpnx4
— Matt Carroll (@MKEMatt13) January 11, 2026
Sorry but LaFleur needs to stay, we can’t be one season and done with this rivalry https://t.co/X4N4Xnpnx4
— Matt Carroll (@MKEMatt13) January 11, 2026
Matt LaFleur did not like this from Ben Johnson and I love every second of it lolpic.twitter.com/bs5GyJYEF0
— Dave (@davebfr) January 11, 2026
They’re going frame by frame like it’s the Zapruder film I love it here https://t.co/3MLVFekp31
— Liam (Tree Boy) (@Liamrosa_) January 11, 2026
Ben Johnson is my level of petty and that’s why he’s perfect for Chicago https://t.co/tGbXM82onz
— Rae Christine (@raechristine__) January 11, 2026
Karma for this one - pic.twitter.com/y3JyRE8iIxhttps://t.co/lV9mNOx7qt
— Kevin (@Kickingbricks) January 11, 2026
The hatred these two have for each other makes football so fun https://t.co/QpEVzQ2A1b
— Darth Dog Mom BuccaNole (@DarthandDogs) January 11, 2026
Best rivalry in sports right now. I don’t even want an explanation for the hatred, let it grow https://t.co/Tq0JcmIjEZ
— Thorbjørn OleZyn (@ThorbjornOleZyn) January 11, 2026
Ben Johnson’s hatred of MLF is my favorite. I hope MLF doesn’t get fired just so I can some more of it https://t.co/87gRnkNox8pic.twitter.com/DGPap8YkLQ
— The Soxside Boys (@Soxsideboys_) January 11, 2026
That’s a drive by handshake. #NFLhttps://t.co/G3RruUaXGs
— SportsBusinessRadio (@SBRadio) January 11, 2026
I need Matt to keep his job because this rivalry will be amazing https://t.co/zzvcVEhz1h
— Brock (@brockogami) January 11, 2026
Ben Johnson's face during his postgame handshake with Matt LaFleur is PRICELESS pic.twitter.com/Q6n5SxEvOq
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) January 11, 2026
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: NFL world reacts to Ben Johnson-Matt LaFleur postgame handshake
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