Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson clearly doesn’t hold back when it comes to his feelings about the Green Bay Packers, openly showing his disdain. But Packers coach Matt LaFleur, man, he’s playing a whole different game when it comes to the rivalry. LaFleur laid out his decision not to bite on Johnson’s antics to reporters this Monday, and it was a masterclass in calm.
Ben Johnson’s Wild Antics Are Heating Up The Rivalry
Johnson isn’t shy about letting his team know exactly how he feels. After a playoff win, he was in that locker room screaming “Fuck the Packers!” Like, no chill. And his receiver, Luther Burden III, spilled the beans on Johnson’s direct message to the squad about their upcoming game at Lambeau Field. Burden said Johnson wants to “beat them really bad like everyone else in the room, like every Chicago fan. Beat them real bad, and make them quit.” You gotta admire the raw emotion, but it’s pure firestarter stuff for sure. The man wants blood, plain and simple.
LaFleur Keeps It Strictly Business, Players Only
While Johnson is out here lighting rhetorical fires, LaFleur is just… different. He explained his approach simply: “Because this game is about players and so we’ll keep it about the players.” He straight up said, “I’m not the one out there they’re playing.” Talk about keeping your head cool when everyone else is ready to brawl. LaFleur admitted he loves the rivalry, calling it “awesome,” “great,” and “intense.” He feels it on gameday, throughout the week, just like everyone else. But he also recognizes the big picture: “they’re the defending [NFC] North champions. So what a great opportunity, great challenge for us in our home stadium to play against the defending champs.” It’s a significant game, a real test, and LaFleur is making sure his team’s focus is on the challenge, not the noise.
It’s a classic contrast of styles. One coach wants to get in your head and make you quit. The other wants to elevate his players and beat you because they’re better. This Sunday’s game at Lambeau Field is gonna be intense, not just for the division, but to see which philosophy truly wins out in this heated rivalry.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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