Bears' Ben Johnson had perfect response to handshake with Matt LaFleur

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The Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers rivalry is officially back, and head coach Ben Johnson deserves a lot of credit for that. From the moment he was hired, Johnson has made his stance on the Packers clear: He doesn't like them. And for good reason. Green Bay is Chicago's top rival, who have dominated this rivalry for the better part of two decades.

Following the Bears' wild-card win over the Packers, Johnson has been in the headlines for his postgame reaction. That starts with his postgame handshake with Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur, where Johnson was quick about it before moving on to celebrate with his team. It was similar to their first postgame handshake when the Packers beat the Bears.

After the game, Johnson discussed how Green Bay had been talking all week leading up to the game, so there were definitely emotions flowing. During his Monday press conference, Johnson had the perfect response about whether there's any animosity between him and LaFleur.

"This is a rivalry," Johnson said Monday. "The city of Chicago and Green Bay. It needs to be a rivalry."

But it didn't stop with the postgame handshake. In the locker room, Johnson started his postgame speech by saying "F--- the Packers...I f---ing hate those guys," which drew roars from his team and criticism from others around the NFL. On Monday, Johnson doubled down on his comments.

"There’s a rivalry that exists between these two teams," Johnson said. "Something that I fully recognize and am a part of...I don’t like that team. [Chairman] George [McCaskey] and I have talked and we’re on the same page."

Johnson is bringing hatred back to one of the NFL's best rivalries, and it's exactly what the league needs. Assuming LaFleur remains in Green Bay, the animosity between the two head coaches is going to be talked about for years to come.

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