Rams’ Sean McVay Reportedly Upset With Ben Johnson After Packers Fallout

There is a great quote from a book by author Rachel Hollis. It says, “I am willing to be the villain in someone else’s story if it means I can be the hero of my own.” I don’t think any set of words better describes Ben Johnson than that. The Chicago Bears head coach has become a demigod in this city almost overnight thanks to the rapid turnaround of this team into division champions, culminating in their stunning comeback over the Green Bay Packers in the wild card round of the playoffs. Yet the fireworks didn’t end there.

Shortly after the game, Johnson committed two transgressions that caught the attention of national media. First was his brusque handshake with Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, indicating there was zero love lost between the two. Then he dumped a full tanker of gas on the fire by literally screaming “F**k the Packers!” in the locker room. Many felt it was disrespectful and showed little sportsmanship. Bears fans love it. Rivalries weren’t what they used to be, and it was time to bring them back.

Apparently, that doesn’t sit well with Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, who is a good friend of LaFleur’s.

#Rams HC Sean McVay on whether he’s been on the phone with #Packers HC Matt LaFleur:

“What would you guess? No, you know what — we watch the tape, we do our work, and Matt is a very close friend of mine.” pic.twitter.com/LsfESmlnoU

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) January 15, 2026

“That handshake and all that mother-f stuff from Ben Johnson did not go over well with the McVay tree … and around the league.”@PSchrags can’t wait to see Ben Johnson and Sean McVay go at it. pic.twitter.com/WzOAfYzf55

— The Ringer (@ringer) January 16, 2026

Ben Johnson knows what he’s doing.

If he was going to infuse this Bears team with belief, he had to give them an identity. Sometimes, that means embracing the persona of a villain. You don’t get the attention of those on the throne by being classy. You must shake the foundation. McVay likely looked at this upcoming game as nothing more than a football game his team needed to win. Johnson’s efforts have now helped make it personal. Once something like that becomes a factor, it becomes easier to lose focus on the primary goal: winning.

Remember, the Packers were obsessed with revenge throughout the lead-up to last week’s game. Once they thought they’d achieved it with that 21-3 first half, they took their eye off the ball. Ben Johnson and the Bears exploited it for the greatest victory in modern franchise history. Los Angeles is a better team, and McVay is a better coach, but even he isn’t immune to emotional responses. If he makes revenge his sole focus in this game, it could cost him. Johnson won’t be intimidated by veiled threats.