The Green Bay Packers’ defense, particularly against the pass, did not look so terrific in Week 14 versus the Detroit Lions. Jared Goff passed for 283 yards and three touchdowns.
He got sacked once but Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick embarrassed Green Bay’s secondary with two touchdowns — his first scores since 2021. That quality of defense did not do the images of defensive backs Carrington Valentine and Eric Stokes any favor, but that seems to be not enough for Packers head coach Matt LaFleur to make some adjustments on the usage of the two cornerbacks.
“It’ll stay that way,” said LaFleur on Wednesday about the team’s approach on Valentine and Stokes, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.
It is also worth noting that LaFleur shared that stance despite Jaire Alexander seemingly on track to return to action in Week 15’s game against the Seattle Seahawks after missing three consecutive Green Bay games. Alexander was a full participant in each of the last two days of practice.
Social media react to Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur’s stance
Meanwhile, fans online have been quick to express what they truly feel about LaFleur’s decision.
“The Packers have always been one of those “we don’t want to hurt a player’s feelings” teams. They almost seem afraid to tell Stokes, ‘yea, you’re probably not going to play absent a few injuries, sorry,’” shared a fan.
“Does MLF not have the same access to stats that we do on Stokes or what’s the deal there,” another one wrote.
Another comment read: “Why does he always do this??? He’s done it with the OL in the past. Why is he seemingly the last to realize who his best players are?”
From an X user: “Ugh. Clearly Lafleur doesn’t watch the tape or watch Stokes play.”
“Stubbornness isn’t and hasn’t been a good trait for MLF – fantastic coach. This is an issue,” one of the reactions read.
So far in the 2024 NFL season, Stokes is only 161st among 213 cornerbacks in the league with a 53.2 overall PFF grade while Valentine is 156th with a 53.9 rating.
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