Ben Johnson most famously said that he “kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year” when he was introduced as the Chicago Bears’ head coach, referring to his success against LaFleur while he was the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator. That comment quickly became a talking point around the Bears–Packers rivalry and has been repeatedly highlighted in forum discussions and sports coverage as a playful but pointed jab at LaFleur.

Exact quote and context

  • At his introductory press conference as Bears head coach, Ben Johnson said he stayed in the NFC North in part because, “To be quite frank with you, I kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year.”
  • He was referencing Detroit’s recent run of success over Green Bay while he was the Lions’ offensive coordinator, which made the line land as a confident and slightly taunting remark toward LaFleur.

How it played in media and forums

  • Sports outlets framed the line as a “jab” or “swipe” at LaFleur, noting how unusual it is for a new head coach to call out a rival by name that directly.
  • NFL fan communities on Reddit and elsewhere repeatedly shared the clip with titles like “I kinda enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year,” treating it as instant rivalry fuel and a memeable quote among Bears and Packers fans.

LaFleur’s reaction

  • When asked about Johnson’s offseason comments, Matt LaFleur has publicly downplayed any drama, giving short answers indicating he did not spend much time thinking about it and was focused on winning games.
  • Despite his low-key responses, the quote has been tied to moments like their notably icy postgame handshakes, which writers have used to underline the tension and intensity of the renewed Bears–Packers rivalry.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.