Sean McVay, Ben Johnson, and a Brewing Grudge Heading into Bears-Rams Showdown
Sunday’s matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears isn’t just another playoff game-it’s personal, and there’s more than a ticket to the next round on the line. Rams head coach Sean McVay comes into Soldier Field with a purpose, and it goes beyond Xs and Os. Let’s just say there’s some unfinished business-and it involves an old friend, a viral video, and a rising star in the coaching ranks.
McVay, who’s been at the helm in L.A. since 2017 and led the Rams to a Super Bowl title in 2021, has seen his fair share of battles. But this one has a little extra juice, thanks to Bears head coach Ben Johnson. Johnson, who just wrapped up his first season in Chicago after three years as the offensive coordinator in Detroit, made headlines last week with a fiery postgame speech that didn’t sit well with folks around the league-especially those connected to McVay.
After the Bears rallied for a 31-27 win over the Packers, Johnson dropped a string of profanities in the locker room, aimed squarely at Green Bay. The moment was captured and posted by Chicago’s social media team, and it quickly went viral.
Johnson didn’t back down when asked about it, saying he had no regrets. Bears owner George McCaskey, for his part, stood behind his coach.
But here’s where things get interesting: McVay’s closest friend in coaching is Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. The two go way back.
And Matt’s younger brother, Mike LaFleur, just happens to be McVay’s offensive coordinator in L.A. So when Johnson’s outburst hit the internet, it wasn’t just a shot at the Packers-it hit close to home for the Rams’ inner circle.
NFL insider Peter Schrager summed it up this way: “The ‘mother F’ stuff from Ben Johnson didn’t go over well with the McVay tree, if you will, and around the league.” And while McVay hasn’t said anything publicly, there’s a sense that he’s coming into this game with a little extra fire.
There’s also history here. Before taking over in Chicago, Johnson’s Lions beat McVay’s Rams in their last two meetings.
That’s not something McVay forgets easily. He’s as competitive as they come, and bulletin board material like this?
It tends to stick.
Schrager added, “When you do the utter disrespect and the brazen locker room video where you’re saying, ‘F the Packers, F that coaching staff,’ and then the social media team puts it out there-and the next day, when you’ve had time to think about it, you still say, ‘Yeah, I’m good with it’-that’s a message.”
And that message has been received in Los Angeles.
The Rams and Bears met earlier this season, with Chicago taking a 24-18 win in Week 4. But this is a different stage, and the stakes are much higher. Sunday night at Soldier Field, it won’t just be about advancing in the playoffs-it’ll be about pride, payback, and proving a point.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT.
Buckle up. This one’s got some heat.