Bears coach Ben Johnson is unabashedly celebrating his team’s recent victory over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC wild-card round, and his exuberant reaction has sparked significant attention. Johnson’s drive-by handshake with Packers coach Matt LaFleur and his passionate declaration, “F— the Packers,” during the postgame locker room celebration have become a rallying cry for Chicago fans, illustrating the fierce rivalry between these two storied franchises.
“This is a rivalry,” Johnson stated in a recent press conference. “For the city of Chicago and Green Bay, it needs to be a rivalry.” His sentiments have resonated strongly within Halas Hall, where the hatred for the Packers runs deep. Bears chairman George McCaskey echoed Johnson’s feelings, acknowledging the importance of the rivalry. “There’s a rivalry that exists between these two teams, something that I fully recognize and I’m a part of,” McCaskey said, showing support for his head coach’s unfiltered expressions.
The excitement from the win has injected a newfound energy into the Bears locker room. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds remarked on the atmosphere following the victory, noting, “It was definitely a turned-up moment. You could just see the energy in the locker room.” Fans and players alike appreciated Johnson’s display of emotion, particularly given the longstanding history between the two teams. The intensity of the rivalry was heightened by comments from Packers players prior to the game, adding fuel to the fire as the Bears sought to make their mark in the postseason.
While Johnson celebrated the victory, he did express regret over a pregame skirmish that involved players colliding on the field prior to the game. However, he emphasized the unpredictable nature of the rivalry and the high stakes that surround these matchups. The win not only signifies an important playoff achievement for the Bears, marking their first postseason victory since 2011, but also underscores the passionate connection between the team and the city.
As the Bears look ahead, Johnson is determined to build on this momentum, utilizing the rivalry to motivate his players and fans alike. With their next challenges looming, the enthusiasm and competitive spirit surrounding Johnson and the Bears suggest a promising path forward as they aim to capitalize on this significant win against their longstanding nemesis.