Saturday’s Wild Card playoff win over the Green Bay Packers didn’t just push the Chicago Bears forward in the postseason, it reignited the oldest and most intense rivalry in football.
Speaking after the game, Jon Gruden drew a clear connection between the present-day tension and the rivalry’s origins. He pointed to the infamous hatred between George Halas and Curly Lambeau, noting that Bears–Packers has always thrived on genuine animosity. According to Gruden, that same energy feels very real again. Especially with Bears head coach Ben Johnson and Packers head coach Matt LaFleur at the center of it.
“Yeah, I don’t know where this is coming from. But George Halas and Curly Lambeau hated eachother. And this is how this rivalry started. I feel the same hatred with Ben Johnson and Matt Lafleur. That could come back to haunt him. You gotta be careful going that far.”
Gruden suggested Johnson’s postgame “F*** the Packers” comment is where things may be pushing the line. While passion is part of what makes the rivalry special, Gruden cautioned that going that far can sometimes come back to haunt a coach or a team. Rivalries have long memories, especially ones built on decades of bad blood.
That said, Gruden admitted he loved seeing the rivalry return to this level of intensity. He had no issue with the postgame handshake and dismissed any controversy surrounding it, viewing the moment as raw playoff emotion rather than disrespect.
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Gruden believes Chicago is back in control. With momentum, confidence, and a statement playoff win at home, the Bears have reclaimed the driver’s seat and the rivalry suddenly feels very familiar again.
