The legendary rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears received a fresh, electrifying jolt of animosity on Sunday at Lambeau Field. Following a hard-fought and pivotal NFC North showdown, the Packers secured a tense 28-21 victory over the Bears, but the true fireworks erupted after the final whistle. Green Bay Head Coach Matt LaFleur delivered a stunning, seemingly unprovoked five-word jab directed at his Bears counterpart, rookie Head Coach Ben Johnson, that has sent shockwaves through the NFL landscape and instantly escalated what was already a fierce divisional feud.
A Bitter Win and a Colder Handshake
The Week 14 contest lived up to its billing, proving to be one of the most significant matchups in recent years, with the NFC North lead hanging in the balance. The Green Bay Packers (9-3-1) ultimately prevailed over the Chicago Bears (9-4) by a score of 28-21. The game was decided in the final moments when Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon intercepted a Caleb Williams pass in the end zone with just 22 seconds left on the clock, sealing the dramatic win for the home team. The victory propelled Green Bay into first place in the division, one game ahead of Chicago.
Following the nail-biting finish, the traditional post-game handshake between the two coaches was anything but warm. Already strained by Johnson’s boastful comments in the offseason, the interaction was fleeting and frigid. It was during his post-game press conference, however, that LaFleur delivered the verbal knockout that has dominated sports headlines.
When asked about the intensity of the game and the nature of the rivalry, LaFleur, with an icy demeanor, stated his now-infamous five words: “The refs couldn’t save Ben every game.” He immediately followed up, adding, “The Green Bay Packers put an end to that.”
The Backstory: From Lions OC to Bears HC
While LaFleur’s remark appeared to come out of nowhere, it was a direct, calculated counterpunch to a comment Johnson made nearly a year earlier.
Johnson, who previously served as the Detroit Lions’ Offensive Coordinator before taking the Bears’ head coaching job, fired the first public shot during his introductory press conference in January. When discussing the strength of the NFC North, Johnson took an unprovoked swipe at LaFleur, stating, “To be quite frank with you, I kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year.”
At the time, LaFleur downplayed the comment, suggesting Johnson was simply “playing to the fans” and that he had “no beef” with the new Bears coach, whom he barely knew. However, the search results from the game’s aftermath confirm what many suspected: the comment lingered. Green Bay’s offensive coordinator, Adam Stenavich, notably stated ahead of the game, “Yeah, you take it personal, for sure. I’ll just leave it at that,” signaling that the jab had indeed found a home on the Packers’ bulletin board.
LaFleur’s five-word retort about the referees saving Ben Johnson is a clear reference to the perception that the Lions, under Johnson’s coordination, may have benefited from favorable calls in past games against Green Bay, or perhaps more broadly, it was a cutting insinuation that Johnson needed external help to succeed against the Packers. The comment not only nullified Johnson’s previous trash talk but also cleverly cast doubt on the legitimacy of his past victories over LaFleur.
Ben Johnson’s Calculated Response
The Chicago Bears held their own post-game media session shortly after LaFleur’s comments had already gone viral. Coach Ben Johnson, clearly aware of the gravity of the situation and the magnitude of LaFleur’s words, chose a highly calculated path: avoidance and redirection.
Instead of engaging in the mudslinging, Johnson focused entirely on his team’s performance and the upcoming schedule. He was not asked about LaFleur’s “referee” comment explicitly, but his pre-emptive focus served as his powerful response.
“I think our guys were confident coming into the game that we were going to be able to come away with a W in this one,” Johnson stated, visibly frustrated. “And we fell short. Like I said, we just didn’t make a couple plays there when we needed to.”
He then quickly pivoted to the future, delivering a chilling promise that will undoubtedly fuel the next matchup. “I think it’s awesome to have this rivalry alive and well right now,” Johnson continued. “We’ll get another chance at it here in two weeks.”
Johnson’s measured deflection—refusing to validate LaFleur’s insult with a direct retort and instead channeling his frustration into a public vow for revenge—is a classic psychological tactic. It ensures the focus remains on the field and sets up the rematch with maximum hype.
A New Era of Hostility
The comments from both coaches, combined with the game’s high stakes and intense finish, have catapulted the Packers-Bears rivalry into a new, intensely personal phase. Football luminaries have already weighed in. Former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, commenting on the brief post-game handshake, remarked, “Yeah, I’m sure it was as icy as the temperature. And I think both teams had to go buy extra bulletin boards going into the week. There was a lot of material both ways.”
With the Packers now leading the NFC North, and the Bears still firmly in the playoff hunt, the rematch scheduled for Week 16 at Soldier Field is now perhaps the most anticipated game of the entire season. LaFleur has delivered his winning verbal volley, but Johnson’s promise of a second chance guarantees the conversation—and the animosity—is far from over.
Final Score Result: Green Bay Packers 28, Chicago Bears 21 (Game on Sunday, December 7, 2025 at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI)
