(Video) Ben Johnson’s Extremely Cold Handshake With Matt LaFleur After Bears’ Comeback Win Gets Labeled as ‘Disrespectful’

The Chicago Bears registered a thriller of a win in their Wildcard playoffs game against the Green Bay Packers.

(Video) Ben Johnson’s Extremely Cold Handshake With Matt LaFleur After Bears’ Comeback Win Gets Labeled as ‘Disrespectful’

Matt LaFleur and Ben Johnson shake hands after the Bears beat the Packers in the 2025 NFC wildcard round (Image via IMAGO/X)

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Matt LaFleur and Ben Johnson are like oil and water, they just don’t mix. These two coaches are so at odds that after the NFC Wild Card game at Soldier Field, Johnson didn’t even pause for a proper handshake with LaFleur.

The Packers and the Bears both had to win on Saturday to advance to the next round. Despite leading by more than 18 points at one point, the Packers capitulated and allowed the Bears a way into the game.

Jordan Love, who missed the final two games of the regular season, threw three unanswered touchdowns on his return to the lineup. He added one more in the fourth quarter. However, the Packers’ defense failed to contain the Bears. Caleb Williams led his record seventh game-winning drive to secure a memorable come-from-behind victory. The game ended in a 31-27 defeat for the Packers.

Coaches shake hands and exchange a few words of encouragement as a sign of mutual admiration. LaFleur and Johnson don’t share such a relationship. Johnson ended the handshake so quickly that it was like he was rushing to catch the last train home.

It was the second time LaFleur lost to the Bears in Chicago. In Week 16, the Packers lost 22-16 on a go-ahead touchdown from DJ Moore, the same receiver who scored the game-winning TD in the wildcard round.

Johnson has been LaFleur’s bane since before he agreed to take on the Bears’ head coaching job last offseason. As the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator, Johnson went 6-1 against LaFleur and the Packers and led the team to back-to-back NFC North titles. Johnson rekindled the rivalry during his introductory press conference as the Bears coach.

To be quite frank with you, I kinda enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year.

Ben Johnson said in his introductory presser

Matt LaFleur’s job is on the line

LaFleur is among the better and more tenured coaches in the league. He led the Packers to the playoffs every year since taking over, except in 2022 when they finished third.

(Video) Ben Johnson's Extremely Cold Handshake With Matt LaFleur After Bears' Comeback Win Gets Labeled as 'Disrespectful'
Matt LaFleur (Image via IMAGO)

2025 promised a lot. Although the Packers weren’t considered the Super Bowl favorites, analysts expected them to have a deep playoff run. The addition of Micah Parsons generated renewed belief in Green Bay. They started 5-1-1, but failed to keep the same momentum as the season progressed.

The Packers pulled off just four wins in their final stretch of games. After Parsons tore his ACL, they went winless in the next five, which included dropping two matchups to the Bears.

LaFleur’s position has been under the scanner for a while. Prior to Saturday’s game, the Packers announced that they will speak with the 46-year-old regarding his contract. The defeat has left a big question mark hanging over LaFleur’s future in Green Bay.

This is the greatest organization in the world, in my opinion, and it’s very humbling. I’m certainly disappointed right now. I’m disappointed mostly for—well, not mostly. I’m disappointed for everybody that’s associated with the Green Bay Packers. I’m disappointed in our locker room, disappointed in our fans, our leadership. Everyone involved with the Green Bay Packers right now.

Matt LaFleur said via Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network

LaFleur agreed to a four-year, $20 million deal, later updated in 2022, that will run through the end of the 2026 season. With so many high-profile coaches getting cut by their teams, it won’t come as a surprise if LaFleur joins them in free agency.

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