The long-standing rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears reached a new flashpoint Saturday night, with head coach Ben Johnson embracing the weight of the moment. Chicago erased yet another deficit, pulling off a 31-27 comeback win at Soldier Field in the NFC Wild Card round to continue its unlikely playoff run and bring Green Bay’s season to a crushing close.
The comeback carried historic weight as the Bears completed their largest postseason rally and their biggest comeback ever against Green Bay, but Johnson’s postgame remarks intensified the moment and poured more fuel on an already fiery rivalry.
#Bears HC Ben Johnson on the rare emotion he showed after the game on the field:
“There was probably a little bit more noise coming out of their building up north to start of the week — which we heard loud and clear, players and coaches alike. So this one meant something to us.”… https://t.co/R5z3HmENnV pic.twitter.com/XMQstC2yxd
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 11, 2026
Johnson admitted after the game that his emotions spilled over, a side he rarely shows in public. He said remarks from the Packers earlier in the week resonated inside the Bears’ locker room and stuck with the team heading into the matchup.
Ben Johnson on the Bears eliminating their rivals in the Packers
“There was probably a little bit more noise coming out of their building up north to start of the week — which we heard loud and clear, players and coaches alike. So this one meant something to us,” said the Bears head coach.
That edge showed itself immediately after the final whistle. While postgame handshakes usually follow a familiar script, Johnson’s brief exchange with Packers head coach Matt LaFleur broke from the norm. The two shared a quick, no-nonsense handshake at midfield, a moment that underscored the growing tension between the NFC North rivals.
They have rarely shared warm exchanges, but this meeting may have ended faster than any before it. Each encounter this season has shortened, underscoring the escalating tension between the two sidelines.
The win pushes the Chicago Bears into the second round with another home playoff game on deck and further signals a changing balance in the rivalry. For Johnson, it went beyond advancing in the postseason and served as a clear statement against the Packers.
