It’s bad enough to lose a game to the New Orleans Saints defense, which is known for their loud style of play — tackling opponents three or four at a time, and celebrating big plays with group photo ops in the end zone. But what’s worse is specifically earning their ire, beyond simply being a faceless player lined up against them.
Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen found that out the hard way during his Week 7 game against the Saints. At one point late in the fourth quarter, Cohen was spotted talking trash with Saints coach Sean Payton after he couldn’t snag a pass from quarterback Mitchell Trubisky down the sideline, near where Payton was pacing. Cohen continued to chirp with the Saints players around him as he walked away to rejoin his Bears teammates. And then things got ugly.
First, 5-foot-11 Saints defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson broke out the measuring stick, comparing his height against the top of Cohen’s helmet. 6-foot-1 cornerback Eli Apple followed his lead and taunted Cohen as the 5-foot-6 running back stalked back to the huddle. It was foul, savage, and brilliant all at once.
The Bears offense continued to go after the Saints defense with their hackles up throughout the game, even after the Saints scored 26 points on them without an answer. Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson was spotted being restrained by teammates at one point, having been upset by something Gardner-Johnson said and wanting to maybe put hands on him. In response, Apple pointed at the scoreboard.
