Did new Bears HC Ben Johnson provide Packers with bulletin board material?

It's one thing to tease a friend, but Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson threw a verbal right hook at a rival during his introductory press conference on Wednesday. 

The former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator smiled as he called out Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.

"I know this is the toughest division in football right now. There's three teams that made the playoffs this year," Johnson said. "I've got tremendous amount of respect for the coaches and players in this league, having competed against them for the last six years.

"Dan Campbell, Kevin O'Connell, you talk about two guys that are up for Coach of the Year awards as the season ends here," he continued. "And to be quite frank with you, I kinda enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year."

For Johnson to laud Campbell and O'Connell while revealing his enjoyment for beating LaFleur in the same breath is telling. The Lions have been 5-1 against the Packers since 2022, when Johnson became the Lions' offensive coordinator.

NFL insider Peter Schrager called the comment "spicy" on "Good Morning Football" on Thursday.

"Ben Johnson went out of his way to say Matt LaFleur's name in his introductory press conference. You'd think they are old friends or have at least crossed paths somewhere or have some coaching connection," Schrager said. "Guess what? They're not pals. They don't have any history together. This is spicy.

"Matt LaFleur does not know Ben Johnson, Ben Johnson does not know Matt LaFleur," he continued. "He called his name out in a press conference at his opening coach address, meaning that's forever. He'll always have that moment."

Clearly, Johnson is feeling himself while he starts his first NFL head-coaching tenure. There's nothing wrong with that, as the 38-year-old directed the league's leading scoring offense in Detroit (33.2 points per game) this past season. He certainly knows how to utilize the talent at his disposal.

However, Johnson should be careful. It's one thing to coordinate a stacked unit and another to coach the entire team, especially when it has a tortured history and an angry fanbase.

Johnson does have pieces to work with in Chicago, though. 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams will enter his second season at quarterback, while WR D.J. Moore and RB D'Andre Swift headline a talented supporting cast. 

That said, there's no doubt that the Packers are better. Things can change quickly in the NFL, but Green Bay finished with the No. 8 scoring offense (27.1 points per game) this season, while the Bears finished No. 28 (18.2). 

The defensive gap is smaller. The Packers finished No. 6 (19.9 points allowed), while Chicago was No. 13 (21.8). It's no wonder why the Bears (5-12) were on the couch watching Green Bay (11-6) in the playoffs.

That's not to say Johnson can't bring good times to the Windy City, but the Bears shouldn't poke a stronger bear than them. It's already difficult to win in the NFL without the opposition having extra motivation.