Packers-Bears Rivalry Heats Up Again - And This Time, It’s Personal (and for First Place)
GREEN BAY, Wis. - The NFL’s oldest rivalry just got a fresh coat of fire - and not just because the stakes are high. When the Bears and Packers meet this Sunday at Lambeau Field, it won’t just be about first place in the NFC North. It’ll be about pride, payback, and maybe a little petty scoreboard-settling between two of the league’s brightest offensive minds: Matt LaFleur and Ben Johnson.
These two head coaches aren’t longtime friends. They don’t share a coaching tree or a history of working together like LaFleur does with Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, Mike McDaniel, or Raheem Morris. But that hasn’t stopped the tension from simmering - and occasionally boiling over - since Johnson took over in Chicago.
Back in January, during his introductory press conference, Johnson didn’t just talk about his respect for the NFC North - he leaned into it. With a grin that said he knew exactly what he was doing, Johnson dropped a line that’s been echoing ever since:
“To be quite frank with you, I kinda enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year.”
It was a smirk, a pause, and a jab all rolled into one. And it landed - especially with a Bears fanbase that’s been starving for swagger in this rivalry.
Johnson, formerly Detroit’s offensive coordinator, knows the division well. He’s spent the last six seasons game-planning against the Packers, Vikings, and Bears.
And while the Lions only split their 12 meetings with Green Bay during Johnson’s tenure, they did sweep the Packers twice in his three years as OC. So the comment wasn’t entirely accurate - but it was effective.
LaFleur, for his part, has played it cool. Back in April at the league meetings, he brushed off Johnson’s comment as a ploy to win over Chicago fans.
And again this week, he insisted he’s not thinking about it heading into Sunday’s game. But let’s be honest - coaches remember that kind of thing.
And if the Packers come out on top this weekend, don’t be shocked if LaFleur opens his postgame presser with a little verbal return fire. Something like, “Guess Ben’s not beating me twice this year” would fit the moment perfectly.
This isn’t just about words, though. This is about wins - and the top spot in the NFC North.
The Bears are 9-3 and leading the division. The Packers are right behind them at 8-3-1. A Green Bay win would flip the standings and give LaFleur’s squad the inside track with just a few weeks left in the regular season.
“I think there was going to be a lot of juice to it, regardless,” said Packers wide receiver Christian Watson. “But the top spot’s where we want to be. They’re at the top of the NFC North right now, so we’re coming for that spot.”
This is the kind of game that brings the rivalry back to life. For years, it’s been one-sided.
Since LaFleur took over in 2019, the Packers have won 11 of 12 against Chicago. The Bears finally broke through last January - but by then, Green Bay had already locked in the No. 7 seed, and several key players either sat or got hurt during the game.
This time, everything’s on the line.
You probably have to go back to 2013 to find a Packers-Bears game with this much real weight. That one decided the division in Week 17 - and ended with Aaron Rodgers hitting Randall Cobb for a 48-yard, fourth-down, season-saving touchdown. Since then, Green Bay has dominated the rivalry, going 19-3 against Chicago.
But now? Now it feels like a real fight again. And the coaches are part of the show.
LaFleur, never one to stir the pot publicly, still couldn’t help himself when he appeared on The Pat McAfee Show during the NFL Draft. After praising the division and complimenting the Bears’ roster, he slid in a not-so-subtle nod to Johnson’s self-confidence:
“You get a good football coach, as he said himself, in Ben Johnson.”
Cue the smirk. Cue the laughter.
LaFleur quickly walked it back, saying he respects Johnson and calling him one of the best play-callers in the game. But the message had already landed.
There’s respect, sure - but there’s also a little edge.
And that edge is what makes this matchup must-watch.
It’s not just about playoff positioning. It’s about two teams that believe they’re built to win right now.
It’s about a Bears team trying to prove they’re no longer the little brother in this rivalry. It’s about a Packers team that’s been here before and doesn’t want to give up the throne.
And yes, it’s about two head coaches who may not be feuding, but definitely aren’t exchanging holiday cards either.
“I feel like our team knows that we control our destiny at this point,” said Packers safety Evan Williams. “There’s a lot that’s to be said about the Bears and how they’re doing right now. They’ve put together a hell of a season, but at the end of the day, we all understand if we go out there, put our best foot forward and play our best ball, that we don’t feel there’s a team that can hang with us.”
That’s the mindset of a team that’s not just preparing for another game - they’re preparing for this game. One that could define the season, reshape the division, and reignite a rivalry that’s been missing this kind of spark for far too long.
Sunday at Lambeau won’t just be about the standings. It’ll be about statement-making. And whether it’s LaFleur or Johnson who gets the last word, you can bet we haven’t heard the last of this chess match between two of the league’s sharpest minds.