Beat the Packers is a drumbeat battlecry for the Chicago Bears every season. First-year coach Ben Johnson made it reality.
The Bears are moving on to the divisional round on the heels of their first playoff win in 15 years on Saturday night over the rival Green Bay Packers. For the second time in a month, the Bears rallied to beat the Packers after falling behind by two-plus scores.
Johnson celebrated in the locker room with a fiery, expletive-laced speech. Video captured reached social media platforms and Johnson is seen red-faced shouting “Man, F— the Packers. F— Them! F—— hate those guys!”
The origin of the disdain for Green Bay is not a topic Johnson wanted to discuss after the game, but it’s not the first time he brought up beating Green Bay. The former Lions offensive coordinator went 0-2 against Detroit this season, but pointed out at his introductory press conference how much he “enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year” while working for the Lions.
The tone and tenor from Johnson, nearly as much as the result, has been a big hit in Chicago.
Chicago was 2-1 against the Packers this season without even taking an offensive snap with the lead.
Quarterback Caleb Williams already has three wins against the Packers. Before he arrived and dating back to Brett Favre starting for the Packers in 1992, Chicago had only 15 total wins against Green Bay.
Pressed Monday about exploring the roots of his budding rivalry with LaFleur and Green Bay, Johnson introduced no apologies or regrets for his foul language.
“Like I said before, there’s a rivalry that exists between these two teams,” Johnson said. “Something I fully recognize and I’m a part of. I don’t like that team. (Bears chairman and controlling owner) George (McCaskey) and I have talked, and we’re on the same page.”
