Ben Johnson isn’t just coaching the Bears-he’s reshaping their identity in real time. In a matter of months, he’s gone from intriguing hire to full-blown folk hero in Chicago. And after engineering a jaw-dropping comeback win over the Packers in the wild card round, he’s not just winning games-he’s making statements.
But it wasn’t just the scoreboard that lit up. After the final whistle, Johnson delivered a pair of moments that sent shockwaves through the league.
First, a cold, clipped handshake with Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. Then, a locker room celebration punctuated by a full-throated “F**k the Packers!”-a rallying cry that instantly endeared him to Bears fans and reignited one of the NFL’s most storied rivalries.
For Chicago, it was cathartic. For others around the league? Not so much.
Sean McVay, head coach of the Los Angeles Rams and a close friend of LaFleur, reportedly didn’t take kindly to Johnson’s postgame antics. According to league chatter, Johnson’s firebrand approach didn’t sit well with the McVay coaching tree-or with a number of others around the league.
But here’s the thing: Johnson knows exactly what he’s doing.
This isn’t reckless bravado. It’s calculated leadership.
He’s giving his team something to rally around-an edge, an identity, a reason to believe they’re not just in the playoffs to compete, but to make noise. And sometimes, that means leaning into the role of the villain.
Because in the NFL, respect isn’t handed out-it’s taken. And Johnson is grabbing it with both hands.
He’s not here to play nice. He’s here to win.
Look back at that wild card game. Green Bay came in riding high, laser-focused on revenge after dropping the division to Chicago.
They raced out to a 21-3 lead and looked ready to run away with it. But then?
They eased off. They lost their edge.
And Johnson’s Bears-relentless, fearless, and fully bought in-stormed back for one of the most memorable wins in franchise history.
Now, the Rams are up next. On paper, they’re the better team.
McVay is a proven winner, a Super Bowl champion, and one of the sharpest minds in the game. But even the best can be thrown off when emotion enters the equation.
And thanks to Johnson’s postgame fire, this one’s personal now.
That’s the trap.
If McVay lets this turn into a grudge match, if he makes it about defending a coaching friend or sending a message, he risks losing sight of the only thing that matters in January: survival. Johnson won’t be rattled by the noise. He’s already embraced the role of disruptor, and his team is feeding off it.
The Bears are playing with house money and the swagger of a team that believes it belongs. And their head coach? He’s not just calling plays-he’s setting the tone for a franchise that’s been waiting a long time to feel this dangerous again.