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Bears head coach Ben Johnson did not endear himself around the NFL by yelling ‘f*** the Packers’ after Chicago’s comeback win over Green Bay in last week’s wild-card round matchup.
The incident took place in the Bears’ locker room at Solider Field shortly after Johnson exchanged an awkward handshake with his Packers counterpart and rival, head coach Matt LaFleur.
With cameras rolling, Johnson repeatedly expressed his disdain for rival Green Bay: ‘I f***ing hate those guys.’
ESPN’s Peter Schrager told viewers the boisterous and profane locker room celebration did not ‘go over well’ around the league. But it was particularly bothersome to Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay ahead of Sunday’s divisional-round playoff game in Chicago.
Not only did McVay work with LaFleur in Washington and LA, but the Rams’ current offensive coordinator happens to be LaFleur’s brother, Mike. Throw in Johnson’s recent success against LA in his previous job as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, and Sunday’s Rams-Bears game is starting to look like a grudge match.
‘I think McVay wants to kick the snot out of Ben Johnson and I think Ben Johnson, who has beaten McVay the last two times when Detroit played the Rams, has no problem with that,’ Schrager told viewers. ‘”I’ll beat the snot out of you.” I love these two guys. Two alpha offensive minds going at it in this game. I can’t wait.’
Rams coach Sean McVay (left) is close friend with Packers head coach Matt LaFleur (right)
Ben Johnson did not endear himself around the NFL by yelling ‘f*** the Packers’ after Chicago’s comeback win over Green Bayin last week’s wild-card round matchup
Speaking with The Ringer on Friday, Schrager pointed out that the Bears seemingly encouraged Johnson’s behavior by posting the outburst on social media and refusing to condemn their successful first-year head coach.
‘The utter disrespect and the brazen locker room video where you’re saying “F the Packers. F that coaching staff,” and the social media team clicks “go, send it, put it into the world”‘ Schrager said.
‘And the next day with 24 hours to really think about it, to say, “No, I’m fine with what I said and my owners got my back on that too.” This is the WWE part of this where there’s actual personalities involved.’
McVay was asked this week if he’s been in touch with his friend, LaFleur, but stopped short of giving a specific answer.
‘What would you guess?’ McVay asked. ‘No, you know what — we watch the tape, we do our work, and Matt is a very close friend of mine.’
