The game between the NFL’s oldest rivals was bound to be a special one. Slotted at primetime on Sunday, that match ended with the Chicago Bears winning their 213th overall game against the Green Bay Packers. 

The crowd erupted, emotions ran high, and Bear’s Ben Johnson went viral first for the handshake he offered (or didn’t) to his counterpart and then his locker room speech.

In a media availability session on Monday, he clarified himself by saying it was playing into the rivalry between the teams and is not a fan of the Packers. He also stated that one cannot ignore or change dynamics. 

“There is a rivalry that exists between the two teams, something that I fully recognize and am part of,” he began. “I don't like that team. George and I have talked, and we're on the same page.”

Johnson and his stance are backed by stated that George McCaskey, the Bears’ chairperson. 

Johnson Couldn’t Contain His Happiness

After the 31-27 victory in the NFC Wild Card Round, on the field, Johnson and the Packers’ head coach, Matt LaFleur, didn’t even pretend to exchange any pleasantries. Johnson was seen teasing LaFluer and running off within seconds after barely shaking hands.

Later, he cussed at the Packers in front of his players in the locker room. In an explosive speech, he said, “F*** the Packers! F*** them! I f***ing hate those guys!” 

“You go in the tournament off of two losses to look up at halftime in this game, 21-23. No f******* panic! You’re built for pressure, that’s you guys. And that’s the first one,” he exclaimed.  

Take a look at their record before the 2025 season

The Packers dominated the Bears and won 26 games out of their 30 faceoffs.

While the Bears skipped through Erik Kramer, Jim Miller, Kyle Orton, Rex Grossman, Mitchell Trubisky, Jay Cutler, and Justin Fields and couldn’t find a franchise quarterback, the Packers were a regular playoff contender. 

Brett Favre, the Packers star, led the team to huge success before passing the baton to Aaron Rodgers. However, the combination of quarterback Caleb Williams and Johnson has changed the scenario.

So much so that they won this playoff game while the Packers were expected to. Johnson has neither apologized for his remarks nor plans to. If anything, it has fueled the team and fans alike.

Do you think those remarks were just a run-of-the-mill or uncalled-for?

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Joyita Das