‘Huge botch’ – Sean McVay and Ben Johnson clear the air as Bears’ season ends in heartbreak

There weren’t any awkward postgame handshakes this time around.

A week after Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson looked to have big-leagued Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, Johnson made sure to give Sean McVay his proper respect.

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Johnson and the Bears fell to McVay’s Rams in a heartbreaking 20–17 overtime loss at Soldier Field in frigid temperatures.

After the game, Johnson sought out McVay and shared a respectful exchange and handshake, putting to rest any murmurs of beef between the two.

The Rams are moving on to the NFC Championship to face the Seattle Seahawks for the third time this season, while Caleb Williams and the Bears’ magical run comes to a disappointing end.

Fans had hoped the NBC broadcast would focus on the interaction, but it wasn’t until afterward that footage went viral.

“Producers not showing the Ben Johnson Sean McVay handshake should result in pink slips,” one fan joked on X.

“Huge botch by NBC not showing the Ben Johnson – Sean McVay post game handshake,” another fan commented.

As for the game itself, it looked like the Rams had it in regulation, leading 17–10, but then Williams pulled off a miracle, delivering one of the greatest throws you will ever see.

On fourth down, with less than 20 seconds left, he threw a desperation fadeaway touchdown to Cole Kmet while being driven into the ground to tie the game and force overtime.

Williams did something only a handful of humans on Earth could do. Scrambling for his life, fading backward, launching a ball that traveled 51 yards in the air right into the waiting arms of Kmet.

It was unbelievable and felt like it was Chicago’s game to lose after that, and that they would inexplicably do it again, as they had all season.

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The Bears’ defense actually forced a three-and-out on the Rams’ first possession of OT. Chicago got the ball back needing only a field goal to win.

Williams tried to go deep to DJ Moore, but they weren’t on the same page. Rams safety Kam Curl came up with a massive diving interception—Williams’ third of the game.

Matthew Stafford then marched the Rams 54 yards downfield, punctuated by a clutch 16-yard catch from Puka Nacua.

Rookie kicker Harrison Mevis stepped up and nailed a 42-yard walk-off field goal to end the Bears’ fairytale of a run.

However, the future has never been brighter in the Windy City with Johnson and Williams leading the way. This feels like it’s only the tip of the iceberg for the man who earned the name “Iceman” this postseason.

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