Packers' LaFleur Says Bears' Ben Johnson Was 'Playing to the Fans' With Presser Remark

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur didn't seem bothered about Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson's introductory press conference remark that he enjoyed beating him twice a year when he was the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator.

LaFleur made his remarks to reporters while at the owners meetings in Palm Beach, Florida (h/t Matt Schneidman of The Athletic).

Johnson is taking over a Bears team that lost 11 straight games to LaFleur's Packers before beating them in the 2024 regular season finale, 24-22. Naturally, he knew to play to the crowd at the presser.

Johnson had been the Lions' offensive coordinator from 2022-2024. Detroit went 5-1 in his tenure, including 2-0 sweeps in 2022 and 2024. So there's some history to back up Johnson's remarks.

Ultimately, the Bears and Packers are bitter rivals, with the latter team getting the better of the former quite often since the mid-2000s, to the point where Chicago hasn't swept Green Bay since 2007.

Johnson would certainly like to change that trend, but for now, LaFleur doesn't seem particularly concerned about anything the Bears' coach said as he looks toward a new season.