Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson didn’t mince phrases after his crew’s dramatic win over rival Inexperienced Bay Packers within the first spherical of the NFL playoffs.
“Hell yeah!” Johnson mentioned to his crew after the 31-27 win on Saturday, January 10 at Soldier Discipline. “F*** the Packers, man! F*** them!”
Johnson’s expletive in opposition to the Bears’ bitter rival impressed cheers from Bears gamers.
“You go into the event coming off the 2 losses, you search for at halftime on this sport and it’s 21-3. No f***ing panic,” Johnson, 39, continued. “Constructed for strain. That’s you guys!”
He continued, “And that’s the primary one! It’s what we needed to do.”
The Bears — after falling behind early in entrance of their house crowd — turned the tide within the second half of the sport, scoring 25 factors within the fourth quarter to cap an 18-point comeback.
It’s the Bears’ first playoff win in opposition to the Packers since December 14, 1941, and their first total playoff win because the 2010-11 season. (The Packers went on to finish the Bears’ season that 12 months within the NFC Championship.)
On Saturday, Johnson instructed the media after the sport that he heard some “noise” coming from Inexperienced Bay this week and used that as motivation.
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers on December 28, 2025. Ezra Shaw/Getty Pictures
“There was in all probability slightly bit extra noise popping out of their increase north to begin the week, which we heard loud and clear, gamers and coaches alike. So this one meant one thing to us,” Johnson mentioned.
Whereas Johnson didn’t make clear what particular “noise” he was referring to, Packers gamers and coaches weren’t shy in sharing their pleasure for enjoying the Bears within the postseason.
Each Packers huge receiver Christian Watson and cornerback Keisean Nixon had mentioned that they needed to play the Bears within the playoffs, whereas Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley instructed reporters on Wednesday, “We’re not going to be completed, so I’ll see you guys subsequent week,” implying an inevitable victory in opposition to the Bears.
He gave Packers coach Matt LeFleur a short handshake after the sport on Saturday, seemingly slicing it quick in a second that went viral on social media.
Again within the locker room, Johnson gave out three sport balls. The primary went to tight finish Colston Loveland, who had eight catches for 137 yards within the win.
“So grateful to be right here and for all you guys,” Loveland instructed his teammates. “Pleased with everybody right here. We have now to maintain this factor rolling, however let’s benefit from the s*** out of this.”
Bears defensive finish Montez Sweat acquired the second sport ball, and quarterback Caleb Williams acquired the third and last recognition.
“I mentioned final evening, you make your cash within the common season, and within the postseason your legacy and your title,” Williams mentioned. “And so, that’s us. … I need to hold this s*** higher. We have now to f***ing get higher.”
Simone Biles planted a great luck kiss on husband Jonathan Owens earlier than the Chicago Bears’ playoff showdown with the Inexperienced Bay Packers. Biles, 28, smooched Owens, 30, on the snowy sidelines of Soldier Discipline on Saturday, January 10. The best gymnast of all-time was carrying a floor-length leather-based and fur coat, full with pants emblazoned […]
Williams went on to reward his coach in an emotional speech to the crew.
“Take a look at this man proper right here,” Williams mentioned of Johnson. “All the things he’s completed for us as a coach, every thing the opposite coaches have completed for us and it began with him. … And for me personally, he’s been monumental in my life to this point. And so, to his first playoff win because the Chicago Bears head coach.”
Johnson capped off the postgame celebration with one other expletive-filled speech.
“Man, I’m so f***ing pleased with you guys,” he mentioned. “That is one you’ll always remember.”
