Sean McVay-Ben Johnson handshake: NBC fails to show postgame exchange after Matt LaFleur-Bears controversy

Daniel Mader

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Sean McVay-Ben Johnson handshake: NBC fails to show postgame exchange after Matt LaFleur-Bears controversy image

There was some potential coaching drama brewing in the days leading up to Sunday's matchup between the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams.

Ben Johnson, the Bears' enthusiastic head coach, made some headlines last week by zooming past Matt LaFleur with a drive-by handshake of sorts after Chicago beat the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round. With a rocky relationship between Johnson and LaFleur being front-and-center in the first round of the playoffs, it then trickled into the divisional round.

LaFleur has a close relationship with McVay. So in the days leading up to the Rams' eventual overtime win over the Bears to advance to the NFC Championship Game, there were reports that Los Angeles' head coach didn't take Johnson's recent antics kindly. 

Fans seeking any coaching beef after Bears vs. Rams on Sunday might not get an answer very easily, as NBC's broadcast didn't show the postgame handshake between Johnson and McVay. However, other released video angles showed a fairly calm interaction between the coaches.

Here's what to know about the recent coaching handshake drama surrounding Johnson and how it led into Bears-Rams.

MORE: Ranking Ben Johnson's most viral moments, including 'F— the Packers' rant

Sean McVay-Ben Johnson handshake

Unfortunately, for fans watching NBC's broadcast seeking out clear footage of the postgame interaction between McVay and Johnson after the Rams' 20-17 overtime win on Sunday night, they did not get it.

NBC did not show the exchange between the two coaches — at least not very extensively. Plenty of media members and fans took to social media to share their displeasures that a clear shot of McVay and Johnson was not shown on the broadcast.

Others claimed that NBC did show the handshake, although briefly. 

However, a clip of Johnson and McVay shaking hands and briefly talking was released by the NFL's social media accounts. There appeared to be no bad blood.

MORE: How Caleb Williams' interceptions sunk Bears vs. Rams

Ben Johnson-Matt LaFleur handshake controversy

Over the span of three matchups between the Bears and Packers this NFL season, something of a "handshake battle" became a theme between Johnson and LaFleur. Some beef between the coaches began when Johnson was introduced as Chicago's head coach last January, saying he "I kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year" during his time in Detroit.

The first time Chicago and Green Bay met in 2025, months after Johnson's comments about LaFleur, the Packers coach gave a brief handshake to Johnson after a 28-21 win in Week 14, clearly not interested in any kind words.

Two weeks later, the Packers and Bears met again. Green Bay blew a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter and lost 22-16 in overtime. This time, the coaches' postgame interaction wasn't very out of the ordinary, at least making eye contact.

It was in the playoffs when things reached another level. Chicago rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Green Bay at home, sending the Packers into their offseason. The Johnson-LaFleur handshake was the most fascinating one yet.

Johnson quickly approached LaFleur, half-shook his hand while speeding by him in a low stance, then sped off to celebrate with his players. LeFleur didn't appear too happy about it.

Sean McVay-Matt LaFleur relationship

After all of Johnson's antics with LaFleur, there was reason to believe that things could bleed into the Bears' next playoff matchup against the Rams. McVay and LaFleur have had plenty of NFL connections, including LaFleur being part of McVay's coaching tree as the Rams' 2017 offensive coordinator.

Additionally, both McVay and LaFleur branched off of the wide-spread Mike Shanahan coaching tree, and LaFleur’s brother, Mike LaFleur, is currently the Rams’ offensive coordinator.

Considering all of those circumstances, McVay and Matt LaFleur can be considered closely intertwined. Leading up to Rams-Bears, McVay was asked if he would be leaning on Matt LaFleur to gain any possible edge against Johnson.

“What would you guess?” He said in response with a laugh. “No, you know what—we watch the tape, we do our work, and Matt is a very close friend of mine.”

Also leading up to Sunday's matchup between Chicago and L.A., ESPN's Peter Schrager said that Johnson's handshake and other antics "did not go over well with the McVay tree … and around the league.” 

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