Former Packers Coach Jeff Hafley Takes Subtle Shot at Bears HC Ben Johnson on “Up & Adams”
Former Packers Coach Jeff Hafley Takes Subtle Shot at Bears HC Ben Johnson on “Up & Adams”
Former Packers Coach Jeff Hafley Takes Subtle Shot at Bears HC Ben Johnson on “Up & Adams”
Not every postseason moment fades with time. Some linger, especially when they touch a rivalry as historic and emotional as the one between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers.
The now-infamous handshake following Chicago’s Wild Card win in January continues to echo across the league.
In that moment, Bears head coach Ben Johnson rushed across the field to greet Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, with camera angles making it appear as if he was shouting directly in LaFleur’s face.
While later analysis suggested there was no real disrespect intended, perception told a different story. Packers fans were quick to react, and within league circles, the moment quietly became part of a growing narrative around Johnson’s fiery approach.
That narrative resurfaced this week during an appearance on Up & Adams.
Jeff Hafley, who spent the last two seasons as Green Bay’s defensive coordinator and now leads the Miami Dolphins, was asked about facing his former team at Lambeau Field in 2026. His initial response was measured, emphasizing competition without personal tension.
But then came the line that caught attention across the NFL.
“I’ll shake his hand after the game. It’s not going to be one of those things.”
Hafley never mentioned Johnson by name. He didn’t need to. In a league where postgame handshakes are routine, the decision to bring it up unprompted felt deliberate. For many, it read as a quiet but unmistakable jab at the Bears head coach.
Whether intentional or not, the comment adds another layer to a rivalry that has been reignited in recent seasons. Since the arrival of Caleb Williams, Chicago has become far more competitive in the matchup, even holding a 3–2 edge in recent meetings.
Johnson, for his part, has leaned into the intensity. His public comments and sideline demeanor have helped restore a sense of edge that had been missing when Green Bay dominated the rivalry for years.
Players have followed suit. Voices like Javon Bullard have added fuel with pointed remarks, turning each meeting into more than just another game on the schedule.
Hafley may not have appreciated how that Wild Card moment looked. But in a broader sense, moments like that are exactly what the NFL thrives on. Emotion. Tension. Storylines that carry from one season to the next.
Because when the Bears and Packers truly dislike each other again, the entire league pays attention.
