{"id":847378,"date":"2026-04-01T15:42:27","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T15:42:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/847378\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T15:42:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T15:42:27","slug":"ryan-poles-commends-ben-johnson-for-reigniting-the-rivalry-between-the-bears-and-packers-in-a-way-no-coach-has-been-able-to-for-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/847378\/","title":{"rendered":"Ryan Poles commends Ben Johnson for reigniting the rivalry between the Bears and Packers in a way no coach has been able to for years"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers are supposed to be one of the most intense rivalries in professional sports and Ben Johnson is making sure that continues.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Jan
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson stands on the sidelines against the Green Bay Packers during the second half of an NFC Wild Card Round game at Soldier Field.
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDavid Banks-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers are supposed to be one of the most intense rivalries in professional sports, but it didn\u2019t feel like it prior to the 2025 NFL season.<\/p>\n

The Packers, for years, tormented the Bears during the reign under quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who famously claimed he \u201cowned\u201d Chicago. It was a reign that seemed like it was going to continue under head coach Matt LaFleur and quarterback Jordan Love.<\/p>\n

That is, until the Bears found a head coach and quarterback of their own. When the Bears first hired Ben Johnson last January, he immediately stoked the fire by saying how much he enjoyed beating LaFleur twice a year<\/a> while serving as the OC of the Detroit Lions. A bold message, but one the Bears needed to hear at the right time.<\/p>\n

Bears general manager Ryan Poles commends Ben Johnson for leaning into the Bears-Packers rivalry<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what you want to play for. You want to play for a guy that\u2019s not scared, that\u2019s aggressive and someone that wants to compete,\u201d Bears general manager Ryan Poles said, via Hoge and Jahns. \u201cIt raises the level of both organizations to be completely honest with you. We needed that. I think we needed that jump start.\u201d<\/p>\n

While it was strong words right out of the gate, but Johnson backed it up<\/a>. Chicago won two of their three matchups against the Packers in Johnson\u2019s first season at the helm, including an overtime win in the regular season and a second-half rally in the NFC\u2019s wild card round. It was Chicago\u2019s first playoff win since 2010 and first postseason victory over their bitter rival since 1941.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I first got here, it was all about just getting beat by them a lot and it was this mountain to climb,\u201d Poles continued. \u201cBen\u2019s like screw it, we\u2019re just going to take this head on and take this rivalry over and we\u2019re not going to be scared to talk about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben Johnson quotes on the Packers in the last 24 hours:<\/p>\n

\u201cF**k the Packers!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a rivalry. The city of Chicago, Green Bay \u2013 it needs to be a rivalry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t like that team.\u201d<\/p>\n

BRING BACK HATING YOUR RIVAL \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/JRHCbXC3vO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) January 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

It was more than just sending a statement on the field. Johnson made things personal, not against LaFleur, but against the entire organization<\/a> with how he handled those games and the way he spoke about the team all season long.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Bears and the Packers, they should not like each other,\u201d Johnson explained at the NFL Combine. \u201cI think it\u2019s as simple as that. And I think that\u2019s gonna make this rivalry, this game, something that people are going to watch here going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been years since the Bears were able to stand toe-to-toe with the Packers. It\u2019s something old-school fans are excited to see continue for years to come. This rivalry is truly back like never before and even more intense.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it makes it exciting and the NFL exciting,\u201d Poles said. \u201cPeople want to see that. I\u2019d be shocked if those games aren\u2019t in primetime. Everyone wants to be tuned into that game.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Nov\t\t<\/p>\n

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