Seems like Ben Johnson has angered a segment of the NFL coaching community

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Rahimi & Grote Show 9 min 5 speakers 5 chapters transcribed

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What sparked the controversy involving Ben Johnson and the NFL coaching community?

Layla Rahimi 0:04

Layla Rahimi, Marshall Harris, Mark Grody. Middays, 10 a.m. to 2 on Chicago Sports Radio 670.

Unknown 0:11

We'll talk about, like, between you and LaFleur, you know, the two wins thing, the handshakes. Beyond, you know, getting this important playoff win, why is this important to you, or is there something personal beyond that?

Layla Rahimi 0:28

This is a rivalry, and the city of Chicago, Green Bay, it needs to be a rivalry.

Unknown 0:34

Well, Ben Johnson told you as much, and it has slowly percolated throughout the rest of the NFL and has made its way to all of the talk shows, not just ours, but the national ones as well. There's also a bit of an update here. This came across from an interview that Adam Schefter did with Jen Latta's show, The Morning Show at ESPN Milwaukee. Jen, of course, used to work here. And it says, this is from Adam Schefter on the negotiations between Matt LaFleur and Ed Policy.

How does the rivalry between Chicago and Green Bay influence coaching dynamics?

Unknown 1:04

Quote, there is no deal right now and it's a negotiation. There could be a breakthrough at any moment. And I think both sides would like to make that happen. But it's now Wednesday and they have been trying to do this for a while. The longer it lingers, the more you wonder. How I would interpret it right now is it's up in the air.

Marshall Harris 1:24

Could Matt LaFleur be a guy in Pittsburgh?

Unknown 1:27

Maliflor could be a guy in many, many NFL teams' eyes, including the Packers. Say what you want, but he's still one of the best coaches in the league.

Marshall Harris 1:39

He's had some meltdowns this season, but yes, I agree with your overall sentiment. He's been successful in that in an expanded playoff, he's able to get his team in there year after year. I am curious as to how that turns out. That shakes out. That is one of those seismic type things that could happen that would really affect this division. NFC North could end up looking like the AFC North where, you know, they've got one coach left.

Unknown 2:04

Also, it's really hard, even though you know that injuries to the quarterback were an issue, injuries to one of the top five talents in the league you traded defensively was an issue. But losing five straight just doesn't look good to end a season and to lose in that way catastrophically. I assume, you know, that's playing a bigger part in this than a lot of people realized when it came to his job security. Now, all of that said, the notable beef between Ben Johnson and Matt LaFleur has elevated to places like ESPN's first take. Here's what Stephen A. Smith said regarding Matt LaFleur and Ben Johnson.

Stephen A. Smith 2:42

It's bad enough. We're friends of Matt LaFleur around the league who will remain nameless. Can't stand Ben Johnson because of the feelings and the treatment they know he has towards Matt LaFleur.

What updates are there on the negotiations between Matt LaFleur and Ed Policy?

Stephen A. Smith 2:59

So the point that I'm telling you, this is me. I ain't giving you an opinion. I'm telling you what I was told.

Unknown 3:08

Deep in thought, Marshall Harris?

Marshall Harris 3:10

I think him saying he's not giving you an opinion is him letting you know this is sourced information that he is giving you, that people do not like Ben Johnson because they are riding with Matt LaFleur.

Unknown 3:23

Well, we could all name one who probably doesn't, and that's Matt LaFleur.

Marshall Harris 3:27

Well, yeah. I'm saying the Matt LaFleur camp, if you will.

Unknown 3:30

Yeah, and we just told you about the connections. He comes off of that, for example, Kyle Shanahan coaching tree.

Marshall Harris 3:37

So related to that is the fact that you've got to go back to who fired the first shot in this beef. It was Ben Johnson. Let's be honest.

Unknown 3:45

At his introductory press conference.

Marshall Harris 3:46

Introductory press conference. You know, people say, keep your name out of my mouth. He literally name-checked Matt LaFleur on day one and said, not only did he say he enjoyed beating him twice a year, it's the way he said it. Like, if you saw it, he was like, I'm making sure I get this comment through. I'm going to slip this in. It was not subtle. It was very direct. And then the next time we hear from Matt LaFleur, he's talking about, I don't even know this guy. And what did he do, Marshall? He beat him twice in the initial season.

Unknown 4:16

Came to fulfill the prophecy.

Mark Grody 4:18

I kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year. I'm thinking I'm the best coach in America.