Ben Johnson quickly won over Chicago Bears fans during his introduction as the team’s new head coach, taking a playful jab at rival coach Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers in his first public comments.
Speaking with energy and confidence on Wednesday at Halas Hall, Johnson expressed gratitude to the Bears’ hiring committee for entrusting him with the role and outlined his vision for transforming the Bears into consistent contenders.
Johnson also highlighted his desire to remain in the NFC North, calling it “the toughest division in football right now.” While praising the division’s coaches and players, Johnson couldn’t resist taking a lighthearted swipe at LaFleur, referencing their past encounters.
“To be quite frank with you, I kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year,” Johnson said with a smile.
During his three years as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator, Johnson faced LaFleur six times, compiling a 5-1 record against the Packers. The lone loss came in 2023 when the Packers capitalized on a 20-point first-quarter surge.
While Johnson’s success against LaFleur as a coordinator is impressive, Bears fans will be eager to see if he can make the Bears-Packers rivalry more competitive in the coming years.
Bears’ Struggles Against Packers a Steep Hill to Climb
Unlike past Bears head coaches, Johnson is unafraid to stir the pot in the division and challenge rivals like LaFleur. However, history shows he has a tough task ahead in trying to turn the tide against Green Bay.
The Packers lead the all-time series against the Bears, 108-96-6, a record that becomes even more lopsided in LaFleur’s tenure. Since becoming the Packers’ head coach in 2019, LaFleur has won 11 of 12 matchups with the Bears, leading Green Bay to three NFC North titles in that span. Meanwhile, the Bears have consistently finished near the bottom of the division.
Still, Chicago ended the 2024 season on a high note with a 24-22 victory over LaFleur’s Packers at Lambeau Field in Week 18. While the Packers had already secured a playoff berth and lost quarterback Jordan Love during the game, the win was a much-needed morale boost for the Bears after a difficult season.
With Johnson now at the helm, the Bears hope to build on that momentum in 2025.
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Caleb Williams Played Key Role in Johnson’s Decision
Many Bears fans championed Johnson as their top choice for head coach, largely due to his reputation as a bold and innovative offensive strategist. With No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams under center, fans wanted a coach who could help develop the promising young quarterback into a franchise cornerstone.
For Johnson, the opportunity to work with Williams was a deciding factor in choosing the Bears over other suitors, such as the Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars.
“There’s no doubt that Caleb played a large component in my decision,” Johnson said. “He is a phenomenal talent that had, as many quarterbacks do, an up-and-down rookie year. Where I see my role is as a supporter of him.”
Johnson also acknowledged the wealth of offensive talent on the Bears’ roster. Key playmakers such as wide receivers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze and tight end Cole Kmet attended the press conference in support of their new coach. However, Johnson made it clear that the offense will be built around Williams’ unique skill set.
“This offense will be calibrated with [Williams] in mind,” Johnson explained. “This is not simply a dropping of a previous playbook down on the table and starting there. Nope, we’re ripping this thing down to the studs and we’re going to build it out with him, first and foremost, and then the pieces around him next.”
