For years, the Detroit Lions sat at the bottom of the NFC North, but their resurgence — capped by winning the division twice in a row — has flipped the script. Now the Chicago Bears are the team everyone loves to mock.

After taking over in Chicago, new Bears head coach Ben Johnson—formerly Detroit’s offensive coordinator—didn’t hesitate to fire a shot at Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.

This Sunday marks the first of two meetings between Chicago and Green Bay in a three-week span, a stretch that could ultimately determine the division. And it’s almost certain LaFleur still remembers exactly what Johnson said during his introductory press conference.

Johnson said back in January:
“I’ve got a lot of respect for the coaches and players in this league. I’ve competed against them for six years. Dan Campbell, Kevin O’Connell—two guys up for Coach of the Year. But to be honest, I kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year.”

Johnson’s comments landed differently than the infamous vow Bears GM Ryan Poles made a few years earlier about “taking the North and never giving it back.” Fans laughed off Poles’ claim, especially since he hadn’t achieved anything as a GM and the Bears have finished last in the division every year since he arrived.

Johnson, on the other hand, had a résumé that gave his words weight. In his final season running Detroit’s offense, the Lions swept the Packers and secured the NFC’s No. 1 seed. Detroit’s defense contributed, but Johnson’s creative, aggressive offense was the driving force behind their surge.

LaFleur addressed the remarks on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast in April. While he chose not to escalate the drama, his response made it clear he hasn’t forgotten.

“I’m sure he was just playing to their fans. It is what it is,” LaFleur said. “I’m not losing sleep over it… I don’t know Ben Johnson. Do I have beef? I don’t know him. I respect him as a coach — he did a good job. The press conference was interesting, I’ll say that. But no, I don’t have beef.”

Sunday’s showdown now features the surprising 9-3 Bears, currently the NFC’s top seed, against an 8-3-1 Packers team that many expected to be in this position. Chicago, however, entered the year viewed as a fringe playoff hopeful — making their rise one of the league’s biggest surprises.

LaFleur may be keeping his cool publicly, but if Green Bay wins, he could very well fire back with a comment of his own. With two games against Chicago in the next three weeks, he might wait until the season series concludes to deliver any payback. By then, the NFC North race should be much clearer.

LaFleur is 11-1 against Chicago since taking over in Green Bay — a stunning record in one of the oldest rivalries in sports. The Bears’ lone victory during his tenure came in Week 18 last season at Lambeau. Between that loss and Johnson’s offseason jab, LaFleur has no shortage of motivation heading into Sunday.

For the first time in years, this rivalry has real heat again — and Johnson’s bold words back in January are a major reason for that.