Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Sean McVay got some valuable advice about facing Bears

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Jan 16, 2026 2:11 PM ET

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay may have some added motivation when it comes to facing the Chicago Bears in the NFC Divisional round.

The Rams will travel to Chicago to face the Bears on Sunday for a spot in the NFC Championship, and McVay essentially confirmed that he sought out some valuable input ahead of the game. McVay is known to be close friends with Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur, who also happens to be the older brother of Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.

When asked if he had consulted with LaFleur on facing the Bears, McVay did not really try to hide it.

“What would you guess? We watch the tape, we do our work, and Matt is a very close friend of mine,” McVay said.

The one thing Sean McVay has always struggled with? His poker face. I asked McVay this week about talking with his buddy (and OC Mike LaFleur’s big bro) Matt LaFleur about Ben Johnson’s Bears. pic.twitter.com/8I7seCuDFy
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) January 16, 2026

LaFleur probably wants to see the Bears eliminated quite badly. His postgame handshake with Bears coach Ben Johnson was not exactly warm after Chicago’s 31-27 comeback win in the NFC Wild Card round, and it probably did not help that Johnson only doubled down on it the next day.

LaFleur and the Packers saw the Bears three times this season. They only won one of those meetings, but Green Bay presumably picked up some things simply out of familiarity. Perhaps that will make it easier for McVay to get a win and help avenge his friend.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: