Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson let it be known right after the win over the New York Jets in Week 4 that they “know what week it is” and that it was “enough said.”
Roughly 24 hours later, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur took a conservative approach in reacting to Johnson and their upcoming matchup against the “defending North champions,” the Bears.
The Bears also got some key roster news as trade speculation swirls.
Bears News: Matt LaFleur Reacts to Ben Johnson & More
Packers’ Matt LaFleur Talks Rivalry After Ben Johnson Puts Bears on Notice
Johnson and LaFleur have a competitive relationship that clearly developed before the Bears head coach left his post as offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, and was only intensified by his comments about his Packers counterpart during his introductory press conference.
Then came their polarizing handshake after the Bears’ first head-to-head win last season, all against a backdrop of Chicago winning two of three meetings, one of which ended the Packers’ season in the NFC Wild Card Round.
Nevertheless, LaFleur refused to partake in any baiting being done.
“This game is about players. And so, we’ll keep it about the players. I’m not the one out there they’re playing. So, I think that’s always been my mentality, and keep it about those guys,” LaFleur told reporters on October 5.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love the rivalry. It’s awesome, it’s great, it’s intense. You can feel it on game day. You can feel it throughout the course of the week. And also the significance, I mean, the defending North champions. So, what a great opportunity, great challenge for us in our home stadium to play against the defending champ.”
Make no mistake, LaFleur’s mention of the Bears being the defending division champions is certainly intentional, be it to fire up his own team or as a back-handed compliment for the Bears.
LaFleur’s remarks got Caleb Williams’ attention and notably come on a day when Chicago media got to speak with Luther Burden III, who made it clear the Bears are focused heading into this game, just like any other.
Burden–who went viral for his choke of Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon last season, also said he was ready for whatever may happen in a rivalry game.
Bears Not Messing Around
Johnson’s comments after the win over the Jets already made his point, but the head coach also steered clear of the quarterback secrecy he deployed over the past two weeks.
Tyson Bagent, who noted postgame in Week 4 that he knew he would start all week, will start again in Week 5 against the Packers.
It may seem like a minor detail.
Bagent is QB2 on the depth chart, and there was plenty of tout about his performance against the Jets. Moreover, Williams (hamstring) will not return to practice this week, per Johnson, which must happen before he can be considered as having a realistic chance to play.
Still, that Johnson put the issue to bed before his first media availability and the Bears first practice of the week would seem to speak volumes about their intention to limit distractions.
Former 1st-Round Pick Retires Amid Bears Trade Speculation
The Bears got some noteworthy roster news on Monday, with veteran and former first-round draft pick Marcus Davenport retiring.
“Long-time NFL pass-rusher Marcus Davenport has decided to retire, per me and @MikeGarafolo. Davenport asked for his release from the #Bears after playing his final game Sunday,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on X on October 5. “The 30-year-old former #Saints first-rounder finished with 25 career sacks for four teams.”
Davenport notably wore No. 52, which is the same as Khalil Mack. The ex-Bear and current Los Angeles Chargers star has been speculatively linked to the Bears. The 2026 NFL trade deadline remains more than one month away.
There is no legitimate connection between Davenport’s exit and Mack’s status.
Still, the speculation will continue as the trade deadline approaches, particularly if the Bears continue their winning ways.
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