Packers Coaches Tune Out The Noise
After just four games, the Packers coaching staff has become the target of praise, ire, and rampant speculation - thankfully, the coaches don't care about any of it.
By Mark Ballard
It’s not easy being a patient sports fan living in today’s “First Take” world. Broadcast sports media is saturated with pundits and shows devoted to the reactionary hot take. Online, it gets even worse. Those TV hot takes become like wet Gremlins – they multiply, by the literal millions.
Ever since the blockbuster Parsons acquisition – just 10 days before the start of the season – the Packers have been swimming in a cauldron of the spiciest takes. When the team started red hot, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, it was entirely predictable that the hype train would spin out of control. Pat McAfee was calling this defense “generational” (and he wasn’t alone).
Another strong defensive performance, albeit in a loss to Cleveland, had NFL insider Bucky Brooks inspired to write a piece speculating that, “Jeff Hafley could become NFL's hottest head-coaching candidate”.
A week later, the glorified Hafley defense would come crashing back to Earth, allowing 40 points in a disappointing tie to Dallas. Despite being 2-1-1 and full of promise, some Packers fans were, incredulously, ready to give up on Coach LaFleur. Packers pundit and @PackADayPodcast host Andy Herman, patiently took time to address a fan who wondered if the Packers should fire Coach LaFleur and make Jeff Hafley the head coach. Herman’s response, overflowing with logic and common sense [watch in full, here], can basically be boiled down to a succinct, “Hell no!”
Yes, it is more than fair to critique LaFleur for his clock management in the Dallas game. It was not his finest hour, and Coach admitted as much in his post game press conference. But how about some perspective? LaFleur’s 67 regular-season wins (from 2019-2024) are the second-most in NFL history for a head coach in their first six seasons (please repeat that sentence if you need to). Further, LaFleur has achieved five playoff berths in his first six seasons, and has taken the Packers to two NFC Championship games.
LaFleur isn’t going anywhere, and nor should he. Whether they realize it or not, Packers fans are so incredibly lucky to have him. But what about Hafley?
Even though Hafley interviewed for the vacant New York Jets head coaching position back in January of this year, I suspect that was more exploratory, and not a reflection of serious interest. Hafley is a New Jersey native, and went to school in Sienna, just north of Albany, NY, so it made sense to meet with a NY/NJ team that wanted to meet with him.
The idea that Green Bay is, for Hafley, just a quick pit stop en route to a bigger head coaching gig is belied by the man’s own words. At his kick-off press conference with the Packers, Hafley said: "As a guy that grew up loving football, it’s the Green Bay Packers. This is like the mecca of the football world to me and probably to most people who grew up loving football. Just being here and driving into Lambeau every day, it still feels surreal. The community, maybe the best fans in all the world as well."
Does this sound like a man ready to jump ship after two seasons? The Packers are unquestionably contenders and Gutekunst just gifted Hafley with arguably the most talented defensive player in football, about to enter his prime. The rest of the defense is loaded with young, exciting talent. Seeing how far he can take this unit, and potentially winning a Super Bowl in “the mecca of the football world” might mean far more to Hafley than running to the first head coaching job that comes his way.
Just 46 years old, Hafley has his entire coaching career ahead of him, and surely opportunities will come. But right now his focus is Green Bay. In his first year, Hafley took a middling Joe Barry unit and elevated them to 5th in yards allowed, 6th in points allowed, and 4th in takeaways – a seismic leap from what existed before. This year, again, aided by the Parsons factor – the expectations are even higher.
I get it, the media and fans need to speculate, and it’s fun to do so. But the whiplash we collectively experience from game to game is almost too much sometimes. And even though LaFleur and Hafley are frequently the target of such speculation, I’m sure neither man cares about any of it. For now, as they should be, they’re focused on the Cincinnati Bengals. It’s one game at a time, with the ultimate goal in mind: the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
Mark Ballard is an obsessive Green Bay Packers fan, born in Buffalo Bills country, but raised right by a Mom from Rice Lake, WI. You can find him on X at @ballark
__________________________
Comments (21)
crayzpackfan
October 03, 2025 at 11:11 am
I'll be excited to read the replies to this article. It reads like a lot of fluff to me, Like the Dallas game is the only game MLF has been bad in certain areas of his coaching. The author also completely ignored special teams and their coach. Look, I certainly don't subscribe to firing coaches early in season or really at all during the season. We need to let this all play out first. We don't know, maybe they win the super bowl and this all goes away. But as of right now, MLF keeps making mistakes and isn't getting over the hump in most big games and special teams look embarrassing. If local writers want to ignore certain facts or gloss over telling someone when they have a booger showing on their nose, then I don't see the value in it. With that said, I'm willing to see how this plays out this year and go from there. But if I see a booger, I'm saying something about it.
Snap the ball
October 03, 2025 at 11:37 am
A solid one or a slick one from a cold or both
splitpea1
October 03, 2025 at 11:38 am
I'm exactly of the same mindset. You know what the replies are going to be, but just to get my licks in:
OMG, how many times are we going to hear about MLF's regular season record? And how lucky we are to have him? Should every Packer fan be counting their blessings every time before they go to sleep? Maybe when the special teams hold up their end of the bargain (consistently!), the head coach and QB display the right situational awareness in clutch moments, and the right OL line combination is found, then we can rest a little easier.
We have a disturbing trend going back to the final game of last season of playing to the level of inferior competition and not coming away with a W. That needs to change starting next game. We need to win, and do it convincingly--it's important just for the mental health of Packer Nation.
LambeauPlain
October 03, 2025 at 11:16 am
"Does this sound like a man ready to jump ship after two seasons?"
Yes. Hafley was ready to jump after ONE SEASON. So the logic here is since he did not get the HC job with the Jets, this means he won't jump after this season if he gets a HC offer?
That's funny.
As far as being thankful the Coaches are immune to criticism and ignore it...the question is: So who is holding the coaches accountable for ongoing self inflicted wounds preventing two wins?
The Football Committee...of which LaFleur is an equal member with Gutey, Ball and himself reporting to Ed Policy? Management by Committee too often brings slow action, lack of continuous improvement due to the comfort of "status quo"...delaying addressing difficult decisions that only get worse.
I am not "thankful". Count me as concerned instead. The Bengals game needs to right the ship in all THREE phases of finally playing that complementary football.
Mark Ballard
October 03, 2025 at 02:04 pm
How do we know the Jets didn't make Hafley an offer? Could Hafley jump after this season? Maybe, none of us know. I'm simply making the case that when Hafley does consider his future (after the season), I think there are a lot of extremely compelling reasons to stay in Green Bay, several of which have been outlined by Hafley himself.
Further, I don't think these coaches are immune to criticism. In fact, I'd wager that nobody is more chewed up by the errors (or determined to correct them) than LaFleur, Hafley, Bisaccia, and their staff. But errors and criticism don't have to mean pink slips. Nor should it (to Andy Herman's points, linked in the article).
The big point I attempted to make is about being overly reactionary. See the big picture. This is a team moving in the right direction, from the front office, down to the coaches and players. Haters can point to mistakes made and demand their pound of flesh, but real ones understand that mistakes are part of every single team's season. We're seeing loads of development up and down the roster. Health-willing, this team is gonna be a motherf'er come playoff time. I'm not saying we can't be critical. What I am saying is that we shouldn't lose our heads.
Thanks for reading, and for your feedback.
PackerBackerAZ
October 03, 2025 at 05:11 pm
"See the big picture. This is a team moving in the right direction, from the front office, down to the coaches and players."
Here's the BIG four year picture. The Packers have gone from losing the 2020 NFC championship game to one and done in the postseason of 2024. They have gone from 2-0 this season to 2-1-1. What the heck am I missing? They're moving in the wrong direction from my perspective.
"Haters can point to mistakes made and demand their pound of flesh, but real ones understand that mistakes are part of every single team's season."
You're quick to call fans that point out the mistakes by the Packers front office and coaches haters. In the sentence above, who are the real ones? Are they the real haters? Hate to win in the postseason while celebrating the many regular season wins. Hate to beat the best teams in the NFC.
How many years do you keep a non gm with no Super Bowls? How long do you retain a head coach without a NFC championship win? Six is my limit to get to a Super Bowl. They're both over that limit. If they fail again this year, it will be time to move on.
LambeauPlain
October 03, 2025 at 07:47 pm
Appreciate your comment, Mark.
I am not over-reacting. I don't think most fans here are either. Most here have followed the Packers for years...decades even. We know a good team when we see it. This is a good team. Can it be great? Not yet. Not when so many unforced errors from players and coaches show up at critical times.
This good team could be 4-0. They are 2-1-1- after facing less talented rosters the last 2 games. Blame the players? Is it over-reacting pointing out the same coaching challenges that continue to occur season after season?
murf7777
October 04, 2025 at 08:51 am
I agree with your thoughts and I might add. Many on here feel it’s SB or bust on whether you keep or change leadership.
It’s a valid point out that the obsession with winning the Super Bowl can obscure the more complex factors of team performance. Focusing on Super Bowl victories alone, which are inherently rare, can lead to a narrow view of success. As evidenced by the dominance of a few teams with Hall of Fame-level quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, elite talent at the quarterback position is often the deciding factor in reaching the sport's pinnacle.
Given this context, making changes to management and coaching staff, simply for failing to win a championship, is a high-risk move. There is a significant risk that such changes could lead to an even less successful outcome. A better strategy for long-term success, as demonstrated by historically successful franchises, is often rooted in stability and consistency within leadership.
Mark Ballard
October 04, 2025 at 10:42 am
Agree 1000% @murf7777
Winning Super Bowls is hard! I turn 49 yrs old this year and though the Packers have been hugely successful most of my life (and with elite QB play), we have two Super Bowls to show for it. And that's two more than anyone who roots for the Bills, Lions, Vikings, Bengals, etc. Super Bowls can't be the measuring stick on coaches. They can be a consideration, maybe. But they can't be everything.
And great point around stability/consistency within leadership. That certainly checks out when you look around the league, both past and present.
GaryC
October 04, 2025 at 11:06 am
But you are saying we can’t be critical. It really drives me mad when anyone with any criticism - even where justified and reasonable - is lazily labelled as a “hater”. I get it now - if you’re sick and tired of the same mistakes being made, with abysmal clock and general game management and awful ST’s play shut up - your opinions aren’t wanted.
Mark Ballard
October 04, 2025 at 07:01 pm
Hi Gary, “haters/real ones” was poor framing on my part. I don’t mean to dismiss anyone, or any opinion. I do think sometimes fans lack patience. If LaFleur shoulders some of the blame for Dallas (and I’d agree he does), he should also own tons of credit for Detroit/Washington. Again, not saying we can’t be critical, just saying let’s not lose our heads. Lotta ballgame left ;)
Thanks for your feedback.
Snap the ball
October 03, 2025 at 11:22 am
In the last 50 years, 45, 40, 35,30, 25, to current time the organization has won anywhere from the 2nd most games to the 5th most games depending on the 5 year interval.
I would say that’s really good. Other organizations only try to replicate what the Packers do. Why can’t they most …..have fickle fans and constant change.
Snap the ball
October 03, 2025 at 11:24 am
In the end I still will be paying a big price for a ticket in Santa Carla to watch us beat the Bills and hearing the Go Pack Go chants.
I’m getting shivers thinking about it.
Snap the ball
October 03, 2025 at 11:28 am
Hearing Ed Policy say. This one for Matt.
stockholder
October 03, 2025 at 12:09 pm
I agree a 100 %.
I'd like them to hire MM too.
Don't leave him out in the cold.
Great minds think alike.
(When it comes to the Packers.)
Vachio
October 03, 2025 at 12:34 pm
What about any of this is surprising, though? There are some "fans" who will scream about every mistake a coach makes as grounds for termination. Any success is quickly qualified with an irrational "yeah, but..." Any draft pick who doesn't immediately play like a first ballot hall of famer is a bust. Look how many "fans" clamored for cutting Adams, as just one shining example.
It's just the way it is. Ignorance is not in short supply.
LeotisHarris
October 03, 2025 at 12:38 pm
Is it true Bellin Health is using that photo of Matt and Jeff to promote their Otolaryngology Clinic?
jlc1
October 03, 2025 at 03:13 pm
Seems to me MLF is fair game at this point, given how many times he has said he just did a poor job coaching. I mean he just has the same opinion of his coaching as his critics do. Unless of course his self criticism is not genuine.
TXCHEESE
October 03, 2025 at 04:11 pm
How dare you pen a column full of reason and sanity! Yep, I get the frustration with some of MLF's decisions, but by and large, he has a well coached team, and I believe he has the ability to get GB to the SB. Having that ability and actually getting there are two different things. The playoffs can be a crap shoot with balls taking unfortunate bounces, fumbles at the wrong place and time, injuries etc. Whole lotta ball game left, but I'm still bullish on this team.
ricky
October 04, 2025 at 12:14 am
Lets hit the brakes and look at what happened. The first three games of the year, the defense was playing lights out. And the offense was just as good in the first two games, but fell apart against Cleveland. Then again, the Browns have a great defense also. But one late interception (which MLF said was a bad call) turned the tide. Add in more special teams failure (something that has been a constant for years) and a winnable, if ugly game became a hideous loss.
Against Dallas, the defense was AWOL, mainly due to a lack of any QB pressure, but the offense was humming, especially when Love was flinging the ball around. Another ST's gaffe, and instead of a squeaker where the Pack nips the 'Boys by two points, it becomes a tie. So, to review, the defense has been excellent in three of four games. The offense has been excellent in three of four games, And ST's are still a problem.
The next game is against Cincinnati. Burrow is out, but no one should be overconfident (see the previous two games as to why). Here is a capsule review of Jake Browning, who will be starting for the Bengals at QB:
Jake Browning is the backup quarterback in Cincinnati. He threw a pair of touchdown passes and ran in the go-ahead score as the Bengals came back and beat the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. An undrafted free agent out of Washington, Browning has seven career starts -- all coming as a rookie in place of Burrow in 2023. He threw 12 touchdown passes and seven interceptions, completed over 70 percent of his passes and led the Bengals to a 4-3 record, including two come-from-behind wins.
If given time, this guy could just pull off an upset, because "any given Sunday..."
CanPackFan
October 04, 2025 at 12:11 pm
Frankly, there is nothing worse than close mindedness and a lack of urgency in society today, IMHO. And it applies to professional sports as well. And to say this about GBs current coaching philosophy is not an unreasonable observation. With millions of dollars in play every season, it is unfathomable to think that glaring managerial issues can exist on any NFL team. Yet, here we are. I can't imagine how hard it would be to coach an NFL team. But, like any other senior leader, they have access to film and statistics. How far does misplaced loyalty and a lack of urgency go to undermine results by a coaching staff?