Packers coach Matt LaFleur said he’s not bothered by Bears coach Ben Johnson’s comments

GREEN BAY – Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur wasn’t biting on an opportunity to respond to Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson’s subtle jab he made when he was hired in January.

“I’m going to be quite frank with you,” said Johnson, who was offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions from 2022-’24. “I kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year.”

The Lions had won five of six games since 2022 before the Packers swept them this season without Johnson.

LaFleur said at the time that he thought Johnson was “playing to their fans a little bit” and said he didn’t have a beef with Johnson.

Less than a week before the two can settle it on the field in their first meeting as head coaches, LaFleur wasn’t interested in revisiting the comments.

Asked if he had put any thought into what Johnson said of him in March, LaFleur said, “Not really, no.”

LaFleur did have some other things to say in his Dec. 1 news conference. Here are a few of them:

Matt LaFleur thinks safety Evan Williams is coming into his own

In his second season, safety Evan Williams has become an integral part of the Packers defense and will have to be again if they want to stop the Chicago Bears’ No. 1-ranked rushing attack. Williams had eight tackles in the Packers 31-24 victory over the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day, and ranks third on the team behind linebackers Edgerrin Cooper (85 combined, 45 solo) and Quay Walker (84 combined, 41 solo) with 70 tackles, including 36 solo.

He leads the team with three interceptions and has four tackles for loss. He also ranks tied for second with 10 combined special-teams tackles.

“I think he's playing really good football,” LaFleur said. “He’s always been a pretty aware player. I think he's got great instincts, but now his just his knowledge of what we're trying to get accomplished, and then his ability to disguise and hold things and then on the snap, trigger.

“You definitely feel his presence in the run support.”

Williams has become adept at coming down from a deep safety look and running into an open gap to get to the running back. LaFleur said he’s becoming so good at it that when he’s watching tape, he sometimes has to double-check what defense they’re in because he has disguised his assignment so well.

“Not to mention that the physicality that he's brought to our defense has been pretty impressive,” he said. “And I think I was talking to one of our coaches about it today, just to watch the growth and development in regards to how he tackles as well. But the guy puts the work in every day. I see him post practice working on a heavy bag, just refining his technique for how he approaches tackles.

“He's done a hell of a job, and you feel him, not only on defense, but on special teams as well.”

Chicago’s running game impresses LaFleur

This week’s opponent, the Chicago Bears, ran for 281 yards on 47 carries in a 24-15 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles last week. It’s the only time in team history the Bears have had two runners – Kyle Monangai (130) and D’Andre Swift (125) – rush for at least 125 yards in a game.

It’s the first time since Nov. 10, 1985, that the Bears had two rushers with at least 100 yards (Walter Payton with 107, Matt Suhey with 102).

“I think these two backs are really good,” LaFleur said. “It allows those guys to stay fresh. Obviously, they had two guys to go over 100 yards in a NFL game. That's pretty rare. So, I think it's a credit to really everybody. I think their offensive line, they've certainly added some pieces up front. I think those tight ends, they block their ass off. And I think the receivers get involved in the run game as well.

“So, it's a collection of all of those guys, and it's going to be a great challenge, because, I mean, they're the best in the league right now.”

The Bears moved past the Buffalo Bills into first in rushing yards per game at 177.3. They are averaging more than 5 yards per carry.

Micah Parsons continues to prove to Matt LaFleur he’s ‘special’

Packers star defensive end Micah Parsons has been as good as advertised in his debut season in Green Bay.

He put on a show on Thanksgiving, with 2.5 sacks against Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff. His 2025 season total is at 12.5, making him the first player in NFL history to record at least 12 sacks in each of his first five seasons. He also has 38 total tackles, 35 quarterback pressures and 12 tackles for loss.

His ability to make plays, even late in the game, is why Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley called him, “the closer” and it’s why his coaches are continually impressed with the All-Pro pass rusher.

“He’s a special, special football player,” LaFleur said. “I haven’t seen too many guys like him. He’s one of those guys that you better have a plan for or he’s going to make you pay.”

This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers coach Matt LaFleur not bothered by Bears coach Ben Johnson