Former Packers Coach Throws Shade at Bears' Johnson

Jeff Hafley's comments about handshakes seem to be a dig at Bears coach Ben Johnson.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:54pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a football game between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette of navy, green, and gold.The historic rivalry between the Bears and Packers has been reignited, with the coaches' heated interactions adding to the intensity on the field.Chicago Today

Former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who is now the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, appeared to take a subtle jab at Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson during a recent interview. Hafley's comments about handshakes after games seem to be a reference to the viral moment between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur following the Bears' Wild Card playoff win over the Packers in January.

Why it matters

The rivalry between the Bears and Packers is one of the oldest and most storied in the NFL. Johnson's brash attitude and comments about the rivalry have helped reignite the intensity between the two teams, which is good for the league and its fans. Hafley's remarks suggest there may still be some lingering animosity between the coaches.

The details

After the Bears' Wild Card playoff win over the Packers in January, a video went viral showing Johnson sprinting to shake hands with LaFleur. The interaction appeared heated, though Johnson later said he was just playing up the rivalry. Hafley, who was the Packers' defensive coordinator the last two seasons, is now the head coach of the Dolphins. When asked about the Dolphins' upcoming game against the Packers, Hafley said he would shake LaFleur's hand after the game, adding 'it's not going to be one of those [things].' While Hafley didn't directly name Johnson, the comment seems to be a thinly veiled jab at the Bears coach.

  • The Bears defeated the Packers in the Wild Card round on January 12, 2026.
  • Hafley made his comments about handshakes at the NFL league meetings in April 2026.

The players

Jeff Hafley

The former defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers who is now the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

Ben Johnson

The head coach of the Chicago Bears who has helped reignite the rivalry with the Packers.

Matt LaFleur

The head coach of the Green Bay Packers.

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What they’re saying

“I'll shake his hand after the game, it's not going to be one of those [things].”

— Jeff Hafley, Head Coach, Miami Dolphins

What’s next

The Bears and Packers are scheduled to play each other twice during the 2026 NFL season, with the first matchup at Lambeau Field.

The takeaway

The rivalry between the Bears and Packers has been reignited in recent years, thanks in large part to the brash attitude of Bears coach Ben Johnson. While some Packers fans may have been offended by Johnson's viral handshake moment, it has helped make the historic rivalry more intense and compelling for NFL fans.