The Real X Factor In The Packers Offense

Every team is looking for an edge, for an "X Factor" in their offense. The Packers have had one for years and no one seems to notice.

There's been a lot of talk about if Aaron Rodgers will be back or not (personally, I think this is the best article on the whole situation, but maybe I'm biased).

With the uncertainty at quarterback, the wide receiver corps has been a big topic. Everything from Davante Adams's contract to the drafting of Amari Rodgers to the return of Devin Funchess. It's possible this talented group could make things a lot easier on whoever starts for the Packers this year.

The running game has also received a lot of attention, where Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon could be a top tandem in the league.

The offensive line has new pieces and looked primed for a big year, too. Oh, and then there's the tight end depth and array of skill sets.

But there's one person that could have a bigger impact on this offense than any of those players.

Matt LaFleur.

For whatever reason, this guy doesn't get a lot of attention. He took over a team that won 13 games combined in the two seasons before he arrived and turned them into a team that won 14 games in each of his first two seasons with the team.

Sure, Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, and Aaron Jones were there, but don't overlook how much more productive those guys have been since LaFleur took over the offense.

Aaron Rodgers, as good as he is, looked long past his MVP form before LaFleur got to town. Adams led the league in touchdowns for the only time in his career (despite missing games) and made his first All Pro team. Aaron Jones pretty more than doubled his yardage and touchdown output from before LaFleur arrived.

Maybe injuries were part of the equation, but there's no denying that the 2019 and 2020 offenses that Matt LaFleur architected looked light years ahead of the stale McCarthy offenses we saw in 2017 and 2018. From player usage to route combinations, the offense has been far more impressive.

This isn't a coincidence, just look at what LaFleur has done in his previous NFL stops:

Titans Offensive Coordinator 2018: People want to give him flak for what he did here, but he was joining a new team with a new coach and had to rotate between Blaine Gabbert and a banged-up Marcus Mariota at quarterback. Still, after installing his offense, they hit a 4 game win streak in December and had a shot at the playoffs in week 17. 

Rams Offensive Coordinator 2017: The Rams scored 224 points in 2016. Then LaFleur came to town and they scored 478. His work with Jared Goff turned him from a lost rookie to a Pro Bowl quarterback with a quarterback rating over 100.

Falcons Quarterbacks Coach 2015-2016: This was some of LaFleur's best work. Matt Ryan was a former number 1 overall pick who had been solid, but in his second year with LaFleur, he was named All Pro for the only time in his career, while posting career highs in yards and touchdowns. He led his team to the Super Bowl and his quarterback rating of 117.1 was 7th highest rating in the history of the league. After LaFleur left, Ryan's stats immediately crashed back to mediocrity. 

Washington Quarterbacks Coach 2010-2013: LaFleur was early in his NFL career and struggled to get production our of Rex Grossman and Donovan McNabb on their last legs, but when they got Robert Griffin III, LaFleur turned him into the Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowler in his first season.

We already know what he's accomplished in his short time with the Packers, but his track record (and the Packers offense in 2017 and 2018) shows us it wasn't just because they had Aaron Rodgers.

Matt LaFleur has gotten the most out of the quarterback and the offense for whatever team he's been on in his 5 NFL assignments over 11 years. That breadth of experience and creativity, along with his consistent success, should give us a lot of confidence in the Packers offense this year, regardless of who is under center.

More than any player, the success of the Packers offense in 2021 will depend on Matt LaFleur.

 

 

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__________________________

Bruce Irons has played, coached, and studied football for decades. Best-selling author of books such as A Fan's Guide To Understanding The NFL Draft, A Fan's Guide To Understanding The NFL Salary Cap, and A Fan's Guide To NFL Free Agency Hits And Misses, Bruce contributes to CheeseHeadTV and PackersForTheWin.com.

Follow Bruce Irons on Twitter at @BruceIronsNFL.

__________________________

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Comments (47)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Leatherhead's picture

June 27, 2021 at 11:10 am

So, he’s been able to win games without a veteran HOF QB? How is this possible? Does it involve blocking?

And RG3 won games as a rookie? When he hadn’t even learned the offense? What did he do when defenses stacked against the run? Is there any chance that LaFleur could could teach some of that to Love?

I have lots of questions this morning.

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Swisch's picture

June 27, 2021 at 12:32 pm

Here's another question: Late in the championship game against the Bucs, how much was Aaron Rodgers cooperating with his head coach Matt Lafleur, and to what extent was he contrary?
I don't know the answer, but the question seems well worth considering, at least by the Packers internally.
Indeed, it's a key question. Without a cooperative Rodgers going forward, I don't think the Packers can get over the top to win a Super Bowl.
The paradox is that for Rodgers to be a true team leader, he has to be truly coachable.
Perhaps Rodgers is highly coachable, but I have my doubts.
The important thing is that the front office and the coaching staff address this concern honestly. If Rodgers in effect thinks he's bigger and smarter than his head coach, then I'd trade him as soon as possible.
Otherwise, if the head coach isn't up to the challenge, get a new one.
The thing is, in LaFleur the Packers may have one of the best. Even if he still has a lot to learn as he approaches only his third year, taking a team that was 6-9-1 to two seasons of 13-3, with a playoff win in each, is awesome.
Excellent perspective in the above article. Maybe the guy we should be most concerned about losing from the Packers is the unassuming one wearing a headset on the sidelines.

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TarynsEyes's picture

June 27, 2021 at 01:00 pm

To say MLF took a 6-9-1 team to two 13-3 seasons is without a doubt misleading because the reason for the 6-9-1 team was the injury to Rodgers.

Many claimed that the Packers would have been Division winners and gone on with strong chances to get to the SB had Rodgers not gotten injured. Well, Rodgers wasn't lost during the last two seasons with MLF, so what was actually gained except for the two losses in the NFCCG, if you deem that as gains, but is really equal to the two that were lost under MM with Rodgers.

I get the upside thinking with MLF, but he needs to achieve something that hasn't been done for 10 years. Maybe he'll achieve a 7-10- record if Rodgers is not the QB, and that would be better than his predecessor.

If the end result is the same as the prior, what has been gained?

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LambeauPlain's picture

June 27, 2021 at 01:20 pm

Yeah, the only thing you need to have a successful season is a great QB. Coaching, not so much. See Detroit.

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TarynsEyes's picture

June 27, 2021 at 01:55 pm

I'm not taking anything away from MLF's ability, but to bestow praise without achieving what the now berated predecessor achieved, especially while having undeniably less as to total team players ability, is fraudulent at best.

Coaching is as much a need as the QB for a team to succeed. I'm just saying before the masses enshrine MLF as the next Lombardi, let's at least see if he wins an SB or two. If he doesn't, what has changed for GB? Surely, having a winning record cannot be enough, nor can winning a Division that is practically handed to them yearly be enough, and losing in the NFCCG must dim its lustrous bragging rights after so many failures.

MLF as of now has shown the capability to equal what has been the norm, nothing more, but without Rodgers, the norm may be taking a backseat, unless he can show the coaching ability expected and already bestowed upon him for the past two seasons and coming seasons that look to be in deep need of such high praised coaching.

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Swisch's picture

June 27, 2021 at 03:56 pm

Taryn, the more that Rodgers was injured that season, the better he played.
Look at the first half of the Bears game versus the second half, and then the next week against the Vikings. It seems he got the ball out faster, out of necessity, when his leg was injured, and it was better for the offense.
As Rodgers gained in health, it seems the offense slowed and the Packers did much worse. By the end of the season, the team was in ruins and was routed by the Lions in the last game.
A question about that season is whether or not Rodgers subtly bailed out on his then head coach Mike McCarthy, and ultimately undermined him. I don't know, but it's an important concern.
Also, that season of 2018 was the second in a row in which Rodgers was significantly hurt. Both injuries occurred due to sacks. Maybe Rodgers was holding the ball to long in the pocket, maybe not.
It seems that in general Rodgers does tend to hold the ball too long when he drops back to pass. That makes him prone to injury, then and now.
Staying healthy is part of the game. There's some luck involved, but also some pluck. In any case, it does the Packers no good if Rodgers is out of the lineup -- especially if his salary is eating up one-fifth of the salary cap.
I'm going by memory here, and may be wrong in any case. I'm glad for other perspectives.
***
If Rodgers has lost the last four championship games -- two with McCarthy and two with LaFleur -- then maybe the problem isn't with the coaches.
Also, if the only measure of success is a Super Bowl title, one could argue that Rodgers isn't worth $37 million next season. If we're likely to fall short once again with Rodgers -- and then declare the season a waste -- then we might as well start the Love Train.

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TarynsEyes's picture

June 27, 2021 at 04:25 pm

Swisch, I get it. The issues that were played a huge hand in what happened to the team, Rodgers, and MM individually. I'm only saying that the play of Rodgers isn't only due to MLF because many of the reasons weren't as deep or prevalent, and that Rodgers has played to levels higher than the recent season why the dysfunction and injuries weren't in play.
The money paid to players, especially the QB, is based on the CBA and its claim to a percentage of the profits made by the NFL. Surely, you cannot justify many of the players, and especially the QB actually deserves the money based on performance and not because of maintaining a distance between the two, though it appears to be closing, and because the profits need to be disbursed through the salary cap. Is Prescott worth his deal, absolutely not, but he's the best QB Dallas has and can get and they'll reap rewards because many believe in 'Pay The Man' when they haven't got better? Rodgers got paid because GB had nothing better and he earned a lot of, and now many believe him overpaid because they think they have his replacement. In three years the fans might be screaming to make Love the highest-paid QB because of performance or not having anyone better.

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flackcatcher's picture

June 27, 2021 at 06:24 pm

McCarthy's last two teams were hit by a wave of injuries by midseason which took them out of contention both years. Rodgers aside, McCarthy literally ran out players those years. Lafleur has not gone through what happened to McCarthy. That test is yet to come.

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LayingTheLawe's picture

June 28, 2021 at 02:01 pm

McCarthy was given a chance in 2018 because there were some who did believe that if Rodgers was healthy they would be in the playoffs. When Rodgers played in 2018 and they were 4 - 7 - 1, then they fired McCarthy.

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Leatherhead's picture

June 27, 2021 at 03:00 pm

Swisch, we haven’t been able to get over the top for 10 years with Rodgers.

Bart Starr was able to lead men to victory through extreme adversity. It’s the most important talent in sports, battle, business…. Can your man lead you to victory? And how many tries do you give him? In the military, not many. The business world fires people who don’t get it done.

He’s a great QB, just like Adams is a great WR. But Rodgers, especially, is paid to lead this team to the Super Bowl. If your high dollar vets aren’t getting it done, you have to make changes. Adding people helps, but your stars have to lead you.

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Swisch's picture

June 27, 2021 at 04:43 pm

I think there's a lot to what you are saying, Leatherhead. There's so much to what a quarterback does that isn't going to make the highlights, little things such as fakes and draws and screen passes and check downs, plus so many intangibles as far as leadership and composure and patience.
In tough times, will the QB have the humility to heed his coaches? Does he have the ability and willingness to make adjustments?
As fans, it seems we can't see most of these other components to playing quarterback that can make the difference between winning a championship and falling just short.
We have to rely on game film analysis, but even that's only partial. We may have to wait for years to hear from coaches and teammates as to what they saw on the ground from their quarterback in the heat of the moment, although that is subject to fallible observations and interpretations.
One could say that Rodgers has taken the Packers as far as they could go over the years given his coaches and teammates and other circumstances; however, after losing four championship games in a row, it seems fair to ask if Rodgers himself has somewhat fallen short.
***
In the first game against the Bucs last year, in the regular season, it seems as though Rodgers panicked; even after the Bucs had their big surge in the first half, the score was still close and victory was still attainable. Instead, the Packers under Rodgers fell apart and suffered a rout.
In the playoff game against the Bucs, Rodgers led a nice comeback after halftime; but then the offense stalled under his direction late in the game.
Near the very end, when the Packers had a chance to tie with first and goal at the 8, the offense didn't gain a yard in three tries. I agree with LaFleur's decision to then kick a field goal. As it turned out, we were one jersey pull away by our defense from getting the ball back with an opportunity to win in regulation.
I don't know if Rodgers is usually good under adversity when he faces a fierce smackdown defense. Does he outsmart and outmaneuver, or does he force things? It's a discussion for fans to take up as best we can -- again allowing that there's much we don't know about the intricacies on the field.
***
One things seems certain. Rodgers has had a golden opportunity for this season to get that second Super Bowl. Whatever his past performance, his present conditions are just about as good as it gets.
Whatever mistakes he's made in the past could be righted. Whatever deficiencies there were with former Packers teams seem to be much better now with the present group.
It may still be there for you, Aaron, if you show some humility and get back to the business of being all in as the quarterback of the Packers.

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Minniman's picture

June 28, 2021 at 02:41 am

Not saying that I agree one way or the other, but to your point Leatherhead, an example is Detroit shipping Matthew Stafford. He was neither horrible, nor expensive, but for some reason the Lions just couldn’t seal the deal with the Packers. Looks like we get to explore your theory over the coming 2-3 seasons with a divisional opponent - and potentially live it with a Rodgers trade.

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packer132's picture

June 27, 2021 at 10:30 pm

Asumming Rodgers shows up the 2nd preseason game like there is no issue.He says he never publicly said any of those things, and media twisted his words.He can practice and not disrupt plays or use his own calls veering away from LaFluers calls, When the game starts he needs to have a limit on plays that he can change. He sabotaged Macarthy's plays and didn't show him any respect at doing his last season. If Rodgers goes rogue and changes most of the coaches plays, it would be time to bench him and then work out a trade. The best case if he comes in and is a model employee with no revegenge or ego, and calls the plays the coaches sent it.

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croatpackfan's picture

June 28, 2021 at 04:01 am

If Aaron Rodgers did not agree what media wrote and said, he may very easily say that those news are not truth. Instead he wore T-shirt "I'm offended!".

Well, Aaron Rodgers, as one of your biggest fan I was, I'm not offended, I'm disgusted with your behavior in this situation. I don’t want to deprive you of the right to ask for trade, retirement or some benefits (like not participating in a mini camp), but you don’t have the right to treat everyone else like that because of a possible insult, which you suffered from one or two person(s). Well this is about "People" and not about one or two person(s), right?

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NJMagic's picture

June 27, 2021 at 09:00 pm

This might be one of my favorite of leatherhead posts ever.

Just the right amount of snark.
Delicious.

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cms's picture

June 27, 2021 at 11:18 am

Nationally, he hasn't gotten enough notice. I hope he continues to improve his in-game decision making and the DC hire will be huge for him and the Packers. If the defense improves and this team wins without Rodgers, he has to be Coach of the Year.

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Coldworld's picture

June 27, 2021 at 12:29 pm

When he wins the coaching battle in big games, shows how his O surpasses those he’s based it upon and that he can recruit someone able to make this D impressive I will crown him. At this point he’s a promising young coach but he’s not yet a great one.

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LambeauPlain's picture

June 27, 2021 at 01:27 pm

Yeah, its early...but to have a better first two year start than Vince is promising. The trend is our friend.

I would also suggest Matt had nearly as good a resume as Vince when both got their first HC job.

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TarynsEyes's picture

June 27, 2021 at 02:13 pm

Apples and Oranges comparison. that grow more ridiculous with every new one offered. One cannot equate MLF and Lombardi as the game is nowhere close to what was for one and how the other would be in the now. To just say either would succeed is childish because neither can ever be proved....Can...can't...can...can't...can...can't...

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powell.david1's picture

June 27, 2021 at 11:23 am

good article but Matt Ryan was the 3rd overall in '08

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BruceIrons's picture

June 27, 2021 at 11:32 am

He was, but he had far and away his best year in his second season under LaFleur. He was never anywhere near as efficient and productive before or after.

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Swisch's picture

June 27, 2021 at 12:48 pm

Also worth noting that Ryan was the MVP of the NFL that season -- and led the Falcons over Rodgers and the Packers twice, including a rout in the NFC Championship Game -- but it doesn't seem he has quite reached that level since ;-).
As for Jared Goff, I'm not sure what happened to him, but I don't think the former sensation at quarterback is even playing for the Rams anymore ;-).

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LambeauPlain's picture

June 27, 2021 at 01:47 pm

I am of the opinion the Rodgers MVP season was molded by his HC....and two other men, Hackett and Getsy.

If Rodgers is so arrogant to believe the success over the last two years was all due to him, he needs to look into his trophy case to date his last MVP prior to 2020.

I do believe Matt knows how to coach up QBs, but even better, knows how structure an offense around them to maximize their strengths and minimize weaknesses..

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TarynsEyes's picture

June 27, 2021 at 02:38 pm

We shall see this season or next possibly unless the Love plan blows up for one reason or any other.

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jhtobias's picture

June 27, 2021 at 11:57 am

Great Article.. This could be the year Coach establishes himself as a top tier NFL coach . I to believe he has not gotten nearly enough credit for what he has done in the two years he has been here.

With Rodgers not here, imagine Green Bay still having a top ten offense and making the playoff's . Jordan love becoming an above average quarterback his first year. Jordan love has an electric arm, but will have to become a better decision maker which is fine . If this team less Rodgers makes the playoff's the national media better give Lafluer his due.

I'm not anti Rodgers and truly believes he has the right to do what he feels is best for him as we all do. If he feels he has been done wrong and will never play again in Green Bay so be it.

I also believe the organization also has the right to do what's best for them whether that is letting him retire, holdout, or trade.

For those of you saying Love is not ready or will never be ready than that is a great reason for heads to role . The kid is a first round pick and this is his second year so no excuses at this point.

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arizonayahoo07@gmail.com's picture

June 27, 2021 at 12:19 pm

Go LaFleur may he be the next Lombardi..

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LambeauPlain's picture

June 27, 2021 at 01:31 pm

This is an interesting stat that raises my eyebrows...since the AFL/NFL merger in 1970, only one HC coach has a better 2 year start than Matt....George Seifert, Niners....and he inherited a loaded roster.

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BruceIrons's picture

June 27, 2021 at 07:33 pm

That's saying a lot.

When Seifert took over, the 49ers were coming off 3 straight 1st place finishes and a Super Bowl win.

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Qoojo's picture

June 27, 2021 at 10:23 pm

And, like packers, one of the very rare instances where a HoF QB was followed by another HoF QB.

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Stroh's picture

June 27, 2021 at 09:27 pm

AND a HOF QB! LaFleur is a very good HC but having a HOF QB has certainly been a huge reason for his success. It does need to be stated that Rodgers has gotten back to MVP status partly because of LaFleur and his offensive scheme. They go hand in hand, but having Rodgers at QB is what has prevented him from getting the respect. Until the Packers win a SB or make the playoffs without Rodgers he probably won't get much respect.

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stockholder's picture

June 27, 2021 at 01:35 pm

Matt is getting more attention then you think. A recent Article has him at #9 on the hot seat list. ( With Rodgers leaving.) Matt will be the fall guy for the FO.

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LambeauPlain's picture

June 27, 2021 at 01:52 pm

"An article"! SMH...

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Since'61's picture

June 27, 2021 at 01:50 pm

I don't think that MLF is an X factor at all. An X-factor is an unknown or at best a variable factor. I don't think that either is true for MLF.
We know that he is a very smart guy. He is a good head coach but not yet a great one. In both NFCCG games his team looked unprepared, and they were outplayed and outcoached. Losing doesn't make him less of a coach but losing those games the way the Packers did is a sign that our HC is still in the learning/winning curve. He also needs to deliver a sense of urgency to his team for the entire 60 minutes and get the STs figured out. Hopefully he made the correct choice DC choice with Barry.

The next factor is execution on the field which he really can't do anything about once the game begins. He can make brilliant play calls but if the team doesn't execute the plays will look bad. That's where Love, if he is the QB, becomes critical. MLF's play calling will only help him if he can execute the play or more importantly read the defense correctly and audible the play at the LOS. MLF will need to simplify the offense until the game "slows down" for Love. No one can know how long that will take for Love. For Rodgers that didn't happen until the 2010 season and when it did happen the Packers won the SB while on a 19-0 run over the 2010-2011 seasons.

"Amateurs focus on play calling, professionals for on execution", HC Mike Holmgren. Thanks, Since '61

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BruceIrons's picture

June 27, 2021 at 07:37 pm

I agree that the 2019 playoff exit was bad, but I thought the 2020 loss was a pretty good showing given the fact they had to shuffle the o-line against that front and had Kevin King playing on fumes.

There were a couple questionable calls, some really bad injury luck, and they still went down to the wire with a team that obliterated the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

There's also the fact that LaFleur even led them to back to back NFCCGs in his first two seasons.

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Since'61's picture

June 27, 2021 at 10:30 pm

The Ol allowed 5 sacks and 8 QB hits. The run was held to 64 yards. Our OL was manhandled and it didn't look like we did anything to adjust and try to slow down their DL. Similarly our front hardly put any pressure on Brady.
He was clean for nearly the entire game. Again, I didn't se much in the way of adjustments to apply pressure on Brady.

The Bucs were better prepared and they played with higher intensity than the Packers for the full 60 minutes. We lost the LOS on both sides of the ball and our defense allowed 3 easy 1st half TDs all from the 20 yard line or beyond. Poor preparation results in poor execution.

That in addition to the injury to Jones, poor coaching decisions and poor execution at critical points in the game. Yes, they went down to the wire and probably would have won the game if it were possible for the Packers to play against their own defense. However, they were playing against the well coached and well prepared Bucs defense.
So again a disappointing exit from the playoffs. No excuses. We may have been ready to play but we weren't ready to win. Thanks, Since '61

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fastmoving's picture

June 27, 2021 at 01:54 pm

MLF was more than huge for us in the last two years. And he has a way bigger part than AR for these 28 wins. AR would never been so good without his coaching/system. Everyone with some football IQ can see that.
We will have a winning season with Love too. Does not matter how it plays out, we will have a great team one way or another. And MLF has way more gas left than AR.
And the best thing is that MLF is an even bettr person than a coach and that counts way more than national attention.

We also have a very solid FO and when profesional looosers like the "shortseller" try so troll them, thats the best evidence you can get. So if the flatearther hate it, it must be great because they are always wrong. In football in in every other area life besides in complaining, being weak and gt no values. That the only things were are they really good without a doubt.

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TarynsEyes's picture

June 27, 2021 at 02:46 pm

"MLF was more than huge for us in the last two years. And he has a way bigger part than AR for these 28 wins. AR would never been so good without his coaching/system. Everyone with some football IQ can see that."

Rodgers has been as good and better under a different system and HC. Rodgers fall in a couple of seasons can be blamed on the injuries suffered, the failure of the FO to stop the falling of the HC and staff, the obvious friction between QB and HC, which have all be discussed and readily accepted and denied, but still remain as true today as reasons.

To believe Rodgers has played as he has because of MLF and his system is ignorant at best and anyone with a football I.Q. can see that.

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croatpackfan's picture

June 28, 2021 at 04:14 am

Aaaah, I like excuses...

If he was injured and you gave him pass because of that, why don't you give pass to Kevin King who played injured that NFCCG? Or any other player?

No, excuses is only accepted if you can use him to support your point of view, otherwise excuses are overrated... Very nice...

If AR played injured, why did he not adjust his attitude towards the game plan, why he did not warn his coaches that he believe he can not fulfill what is planned, or why he did not refuse to play injured?

You may say Packers were w/o real backup QB. How is that mistake of HC and OC and QBC. It should be mistake of the FO. When FO finally addressed the issue, our Diva is offended.

Make conclusion on that...

1 points
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Roadrunner23's picture

June 27, 2021 at 04:47 pm

If Love isn’t Kiser or Hundley, MLF and his system can get the Packers to the playoffs this year with Jordan under center. But I believe cooler heads will prevail, Rodgers shows up the 1st week of August and the Packers win the Super Bowl.
Go Pack!

8 points
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BrettGB's picture

June 27, 2021 at 06:07 pm

Great points here. Obviously Aaron Rodgers makes up for a lot of things, but Matt LaFleur's offense plus the very good supporting cast the Packers have may allow a new quarterback to have some success. It at least gives him a legit chance. There's no better spot for Jordan Love to be in, if he is the one playing.

10 points
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mbpacker's picture

June 27, 2021 at 07:04 pm

Good article. It's a team sport and all the moving parts have to be working together to be the most efficient. Yes, Coach Matt inherited a loaded roster with a hall of fame QB. But this doesn't necessarily make his job a cup cake endeavor either. Coaching a talented team and keeping all those egos moving to the big goal can be a challenge too. I am glad he is our coach. Time will tell how good he really is, but too me, he seems to have a good feel for leadership and has the pulse of the team. GPG! Oh, just a hunch, I believe #12 will be the QB this year. He is just going to be late for the party so everyone can see him walking in the door.

5 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

June 27, 2021 at 09:04 pm

Mb,
LF did not inherit a loaded roster. In fact quite the opposite. I do think being a much better coach than MM he has a better offensive scheme, but he also motivates players better, and he also utilizes the talent better to their strengths.

4 points
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JohnnyLogan's picture

June 27, 2021 at 11:08 pm

MLF and Rodgers both disappointed in the championship game. The team, as a whole, did not play well; pass rush, pass protection, running game, King... much of that is on LaFleur's lack of preparation and poor in-game adjustments.

Rodgers played poorly when the game was on the line in the 4th quarter. The D gave him the ball a number of times and he didn't deliver. The most egregious failure was not running the ball in.

Rodgers has always been a great regular season QB, maybe the best ever, but there's no denying that in losing so many championship games something is wrong. What that could be is hard to evaluate. But it may well be that in crunch time, with Rodgers, the QB/coach relationship goes out the window.

It's well documented that Rodgers had little faith in McCarthy so there was likely poor coordination under pressure. Rodgers has seemed to work well with LaFleur during the season but it still seems that at championship games end he's winging it. The offense doesn't look the same. The QB/Coach coordination again isn't there. Two different head coaches, same results. The constant is Rodgers.

Rodger's rebellion seems a coverup to me. He wasn't happy with the criticism he received after the championship game. His ego won't allow it. So he creates controversy, partly to take people's minds off his poor play at the end, and partly because he's sure the team is going to trade him after 2021. Both things being true, he makes a poorly thought out power play - he tries to force the Packer's hand in guaranteeing his stay in Green Bay. He can't win this and he knows it, but it takes people's minds off his poor showing the last time he was on the field. They're talking about, his greatness, he's the victim, the Packers aren't being nice to their great QB.

Rodgers and his ego need to be traded. LaFleur, already a good coach, needs a little more experience under pressure, and a QB he can work with. If both things happen the Packers will win a SB rather quickly. If Rodgers stays, it will be deja vu all over again, Ground Hog Day... time to move on.

3 points
6
3
NickPerry's picture

June 28, 2021 at 06:47 am

"Rodger's rebellion seems a coverup to me. He wasn't happy with the criticism he received after the championship game. His ego won't allow it. So he creates controversy, partly to take people's minds off his poor play at the end"

THIS is an interesting take and one if you really think about it is 99% possible. Rodgers had said time and again the Packers needed to get an NFCCG played at Lambeau. he was 1-4 in NFCCG with a 4 game losing streak heading into last years game vs Tampa Bay.

He go his wish and STILL LOST. Obviously it wasn't all on Rodgers but once again, when it REALY mattered, Rodgers got Davanta Vison, threw a poor pass to Adams when he had a hell of a shot at the endzone if he runs. The defense gave him opportunity after opportunity in the 4th quarter and he went 3 and out time and again.

YES, Kevin King deserves a lot of the blame, but so does Aaron Rodgers. That dudes ego is ridiculous and I think Johnny Jogan has nailed it!

5 points
5
0
stockholder's picture

June 28, 2021 at 07:41 am

DeVante Vision. he's the guy that makes 15mil. He's the guy with fast feet. Were about to pay 25mil. to Adams when Rodgers couldn't get the ball to him. Does that sound like a good investment to you?

-1 points
0
1
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

June 28, 2021 at 01:43 am

I am not a sanguine about the offensive line. The top 13 sound like a good group but the top eight don't sound as good. Not so sure it will be a good line without Bakh. Even when he returns, and even assuming he returns as an elite LT, other than Bakh I am only confident in Jenkins being above average (as an OG or OC, and not as a LT or RT). I assume Turner will be a very average RT or a decent RG. Always thought Wagner was considerably superior to Turner as a RT, and wondered what the hell LaFleur was thinking. Patrick should be an average RG or a meh OC. Newman, Runyan, Myers, etc., have to show me.

0 points
0
0
PatrickGB's picture

June 28, 2021 at 09:52 am

The eye test and many stats tell me that Matt is a very good coach. And let’s not forget that some things are out of his control. While the team has sunk a lot of its cap money in a few key players it has also drafted toward the bottom of the draft for most of the last 10 years (with two exceptions). So with less money for FA and lower picks the team has done quite well. Also, the other teams are often pretty good too. Teams do not compete in a vacuum.

1 points
1
0