Schrager: Ben Johnson Called Out Matt LaFleur Despite Having No Prior Relationship

Ben Johnson got a head start on being part of the historic rivalry between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers.

During his introductory press conference as Bears head coach on Wednesday, Johnson poked fun at Packers head coach Matt LaFleur by saying he "kind of enjoyed beating" him "twice a year" while he was offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions.

On Thursday's episode of Good Morning Football, Peter Schrager said Johnson and LaFleur have "no relationship" at all to suggest that he was just needling a friend when he made the comment.

It's probably more common for two coaches who are friends to poke fun at each other. Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay have a well-documented friendship that dates back to 2010 when they worked together on the same staff in Washington, so no one would raise an eye if either made this type of comment.

There's no reason for anyone to think Johnson was dissing LaFleur or the Packers. He said earlier in the press conference that the NFC North is the best division in the NFL and he has "tremendous respect for the coaches and players" throughout the league.

Johnson was simply stating a fact when he made the comment. The Lions won five of the last six games against the Packers over the past three seasons, including sweeping their two matchups in 2022 and 2024.

If anything, Johnson was sending a message to Bears fans that he knows how to be on the winning side of a rivalry with the Packers. Chicago isn't accustomed to that with a 5-26 record against Green Bay since the start of the 2010 season.