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Ben Johnson Handshake Drama Explained: How Bears vs. Rams Became the NFL\u2019s Latest Coaching Subplot<\/h2>\n
There was no shortage of intrigue surrounding Sunday night\u2019s Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Rams<\/strong> playoff showdown, and it wasn\u2019t limited to what happened on the field. In the days leading up to the game, a potential coaching controversy<\/strong> quietly took shape, centered on Bears head coach Ben Johnson<\/strong> and his increasingly scrutinized postgame handshake history.<\/p>\nJohnson, one of the NFL\u2019s most talked-about young head coaches, has developed a reputation for confidence, competitiveness, and blunt honesty. That personality was on full display during Chicago\u2019s playoff run\u2014and it raised questions about how his recent actions might be perceived by fellow coaches around the league.<\/p>\n
When the Rams ultimately defeated the Bears 20\u201317 in overtime<\/strong>, advancing to the NFC Championship Game<\/strong>, attention quickly shifted to what many fans wanted to see next: the postgame handshake between Johnson and Rams head coach Sean McVay<\/strong>.<\/p>\nCoaching Drama Loomed Ahead of Bears vs. Rams<\/h3>\n
![\"Ben](\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_2616,h_1471,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/voltaxMediaLibrary\/mmsport\/si\/01kepxzq767a65bhcfyp.png\")
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The storyline didn\u2019t come out of nowhere. One week earlier, Johnson had gone viral for his drive-by handshake<\/strong> with Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur<\/strong> following Chicago\u2019s wild-card round win. That brief, almost dismissive exchange added fuel to an already tense relationship between the two coaches.<\/p>\nGiven McVay\u2019s close ties to LaFleur, reports surfaced before Sunday\u2019s game suggesting that the Rams\u2019 head coach may not have appreciated Johnson\u2019s recent antics. As a result, fans and media alike entered the Bears-Rams matchup wondering whether the tension would carry over\u2014and if so, how it might manifest.<\/p>\n
NBC Broadcast Leaves Fans Guessing<\/h3>\n
Anyone watching NBC\u2019s Sunday Night Football broadcast<\/strong> hoping for a dramatic postgame moment was left disappointed. The network did not clearly show the handshake between Johnson and McVay after the Rams\u2019 overtime victory, sparking frustration across social media.<\/p>\nFans quickly voiced their displeasure, questioning why NBC would avoid showing what had become one of the game\u2019s most anticipated off-field moments. Some viewers claimed the broadcast briefly showed the handshake, but if it did, it was fleeting and inconclusive.<\/p>\n
The lack of coverage only intensified speculation about whether there was something to hide.<\/p>\n
Alternate Video Shows Calm Interaction<\/h3>\n
Not long after the game, however, clarity emerged. Video clips released by NFL social media accounts<\/strong> showed Johnson and McVay shaking hands and briefly exchanging words. Contrary to pregame rumors, the interaction appeared professional and calm, with no visible signs of tension or bad blood<\/strong>.<\/p>\nThe footage suggested that, at least between Johnson and McVay, any perceived drama had been overstated. Still, the broader conversation surrounding Johnson\u2019s approach to postgame etiquette remained front and center.<\/p>\n
Origins of the Ben Johnson\u2013Matt LaFleur Handshake Controversy<\/h3>\n
![\"Rams'](\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/os\/en\/the_sporting_news_articles_584\/72e3dba79f17fa131090d7e868b172dc\")
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The real roots of the controversy trace back months earlier, shortly after Johnson was hired as the Bears\u2019 head coach. During his introductory remarks last January, Johnson made a comment that immediately caught attention around the league.<\/p>\n
\u201cI kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year,\u201d Johnson said, referencing his time as Detroit\u2019s offensive coordinator.<\/p>\n
While likely meant as a competitive jab, the remark did not go unnoticed\u2014especially by LaFleur.<\/p>\n
Regular-Season Encounters Fueled the Narrative<\/h3>\n
When the Bears and Packers first met during the 2025 season, the tension became visible. Following Green Bay\u2019s 28\u201321 win in Week 14<\/strong>, LaFleur offered Johnson a brief, cold handshake<\/strong>, clearly uninterested in extended pleasantries.<\/p>\nTwo weeks later, the teams met again in a dramatic rematch. This time, Chicago erased a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit and won 22\u201316 in overtime<\/strong>. The postgame handshake between Johnson and LaFleur was more neutral\u2014no theatrics, but no warmth either.<\/p>\nAt that point, the storyline seemed to fade into the background. That changed dramatically in the playoffs.<\/p>\n
Wild-Card Drive-By Handshake Goes Viral<\/h3>\n
Chicago\u2019s wild-card victory over Green Bay marked the most talked-about handshake of the season. After the Bears completed a fourth-quarter comeback to eliminate the Packers, Johnson approached LaFleur quickly, half-shook his hand, and sped past him in a low stance before celebrating with his players.<\/p>\n
The moment immediately went viral.<\/p>\n
LaFleur appeared visibly displeased, and fans dissected the clip from every angle. Some praised Johnson\u2019s passion and swagger, while others criticized him for a lack of sportsmanship. Either way, the incident ensured that Johnson\u2019s interactions with opposing coaches would be closely monitored moving forward.<\/p>\n
Sean McVay and Matt LaFleur: A Deep Coaching Connection<\/h3>\n
That scrutiny intensified ahead of the Bears\u2019 next playoff matchup against the Rams. Sean McVay and Matt LaFleur share a long-standing relationship<\/strong>, both professionally and personally.<\/p>\nLaFleur served as the Rams\u2019 offensive coordinator under McVay during the 2017 season<\/strong>, making him a prominent member of McVay\u2019s coaching tree. Both coaches also trace their philosophies back to the Mike Shanahan coaching lineage<\/strong>, one of the most influential trees in modern NFL history.<\/p>\nAdding another layer, Mike LaFleur<\/strong>, Matt\u2019s brother, currently serves as the Rams\u2019 offensive coordinator<\/strong>.<\/p>\nGiven those connections, it wasn\u2019t unreasonable to wonder whether Johnson\u2019s actions toward LaFleur might resonate within the Rams\u2019 organization.<\/p>\n
McVay Addresses the Situation Before the Game<\/h3>\n
In the days leading up to Bears vs. Rams, McVay was asked whether he would consult Matt LaFleur for insight or motivation against Johnson.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat would you guess?\u201d McVay replied with a laugh. \u201cNo, you know what\u2014we watch the tape, we do our work, and Matt is a very close friend of mine.\u201d<\/p>\n
The response was classic McVay\u2014deflecting drama while acknowledging the relationship. Still, it didn\u2019t completely quiet speculation.<\/p>\n
League-Wide Reaction to Johnson\u2019s Antics<\/h3>\n
Adding fuel to the fire, ESPN\u2019s Peter Schrager<\/strong> reported before Sunday\u2019s game that Johnson\u2019s behavior \u201cdid not go over well with the McVay tree \u2026 and around the league.\u201d<\/p>\nThat comment suggested Johnson\u2019s viral handshake might have broader implications beyond one rivalry. In a league where respect and relationships often matter behind the scenes, perception can influence everything from coaching alliances to future opportunities.<\/p>\n
No Drama After the Final Whistle<\/h3>\n
Despite the buildup, Sunday night ended without controversy between Johnson and McVay. The handshake, while not prominently featured on television, appeared respectful and uneventful based on available footage.<\/p>\n
For McVay, the focus remained on advancing to the NFC Championship Game. For Johnson, the loss ended a promising playoff run but did little to diminish his rising profile across the league.<\/p>\n
What This Means for Ben Johnson Going Forward<\/h3>\n
The handshake saga underscores a broader reality: Ben Johnson is no longer flying under the radar<\/strong>. His confidence, candid comments, and competitive edge have made him one of the NFL\u2019s most polarizing young coaches.<\/p>\nSome will view his approach as refreshing\u2014a sign of authenticity and fire. Others will see it as unnecessary bravado that risks alienating peers. How Johnson navigates that balance moving forward could shape his reputation just as much as his on-field success.<\/p>\n
For now, the Bears-Rams handshake delivered no fireworks. But in a league where narratives evolve quickly, Ben Johnson\u2019s interactions\u2014on and off the field\u2014will continue to draw attention wherever Chicago plays next.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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