Ben Johnson vs. Matt LaFleur beef, explained: The brief history of Bears, Packers coaches reigniting rivalry

The rivalry between the Bears and Packers goes back centuries, but it's fair to say it's been renewed over the past year.

Ben Johnson's arrival as Bears coach injected life into the franchise and ultimately into the rivalry, bringing Chicago back to relevance. The Bears snatched the NFC North crown from the Packers in 2025 just when it looked like Green Bay was destined to win the division, and a Chicago comeback when the two met in the playoffs only intensified the emotions.

Fueling the current rivalry is the tension between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur, who had an awkward handshake last season.

Here's what you need to know about the beef.

MORE: 10 most hated figures in Bears vs. Packers rivalry

Ben Johnson vs. Matt LaFleur beef, explained

Johnson took the first shot at LaFleur in his introductory press conference, telling reporters and fans that he "enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year" while serving as the Lions' offensive coordinator.

Bears-Packers: let the games begin. https://t.co/fxJjB9e9xV

That comment apparently caught LaFleur off guard, as the two had no prior relationship. While LaFleur didn't have a direct response, he took a subtle jab at Johnson at the NFL Draft three months later.

"I think Chicago's done a nice job of adding to roster, and you get a good football coach, as he said himself, in Ben Johnson," LaFleur told "The Pat McAfee Show."

After the Bears stormed back to beat the Packers in the wild-card round of the playoffs in January — Chicago's second comeback win over Green Bay in less than a month — a drive-by handshake by Johnson indicated the two coaches still weren't friends.

Quick handshake between Ben Johnson and Matt LaFleur 👀 (📺 Prime) https://t.co/qYSKlSG5bK

To this point, the beef between the two is largely driven by Johnson. Ahead of their first meeting of 2026, LaFleur explained to reporters why he's resisted responding to the Bears coach's jabs.

"Because this game is about players and so we’ll keep it about the players," he said. "I’m not the one out there they’re playing."

MORE: Full history of the Bears vs. Packers rivalry

Ben Johnson record vs. Matt LaFleur 

Johnson went 2-1 against LaFleur and the Packers in his first season as Bears head coach, losing in Week 14 but overseeing comeback wins in Week 16 and the wild-card round.

As the Lions' offensive coordinator, Johnson and Detroit went 5-1 against LaFleur and the Packers. The Lions swept the Packers in 2022 and 2024, and they split the season series in 2023.