The Green Bay Packers, at 6-8, actually still have a good chance to make the NFL Playoffs. Despite their embarrassing 34-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay has over a 90% chance to make the postseason if they win their remaining three games: at the Carolina Panthers, at the Minnesota Vikings, and home against the Chicago Bears. Two weeks ago, there was a sense of optimism that the Packers could and would win all of these games.
But that was two weeks ago, and too much as changed since then. The Packers have lost two games in a row to two inferior opponents in the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In both games, it was the defense, led by defensive coordinator Joe Barry, that highlighted the loss. Granted, the Giants’ loss was an embarrassment for each unit on the team, but giving up 200 yards rushing for a NFL-leading fourth time this season and losing to an undrafted rookie quarterback make it hard to place any blame higher than on the defense, especially since Jordan Love and the offense took the lead with less than two minutes left.
After each loss, though, the comments from Barry and head coach and Matt LaFleur have been the same, and it sounds like one defensive leader is tired of the players being blamed.
What Joe Barry and Matt LaFleur Believe Is Wrong with the Green Bay Packers Defense
In his press conference yesterday, LaFleur stated that Barry would remain the Packers’ defensive coordinator for the remainder of the season. He also said that he would be stepping in to be more involved and fixing “communication issues” between Barry and the players.
In other words, LaFleur (and Barry, by extension) blamed the players. The following is from the Packers’ own website:
LaFleur indicated the communication issues were shared by the coaches and players.
“When you’re having basic communication problems and you’re supposed to be in a certain coverage or a certain rotation and we’re not getting that communication … it always starts with us,” he said. “It starts with myself and it goes to all our assistant coaches. So obviously the coaching wasn’t up to the standard and our performance on the field definitely showed that as well.”
He also said the players on the field simply weren’t talking with one another in and out of the huddle, which is normal procedure to get everyone on the same page.
While acknowledging coaching issues, he is still saddling the players with blame, or throwing them under the bus, if you will.
And De’Vondre Campbell is done being thrown under the bus.
Green Bay Packers Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell Issues Brutal Statement Directed at Coaches
On Tuesday morning, All-Pro linebacker De’Vondre Campbell posted the following on social media:
Not going out my way anymore and I’m not playing through injuries anymore cause when shit goes wrong they always use it against you. I’m treating everyone accordingly and giving them the same energy they giving me. Focus on yourself and your mental 59 you owe it to yourself 🤝🏿
— De’Vondre Campbell (@Came_Along_Way) December 19, 2023
Campbell has been dealing with injuries all season and has been playing at less than 100%. Now the coaches are placing blame for the poor defensive scheme on him and his teammates, and he is not going to take it anymore.
If Barry has lost the defensive players in the locker room, LaFleur should not wait until the end of the season to move on.
It needs to happen now.
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