The Green Bay Packers shocked the NFL world last season by finishing 9-8, clinching a spot in the NFC Playoffs, and upsetting the highly favored Dallas Cowboys on the road in the Wild Card Round. Of course, the surprise came because the team had previously traded four-time NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets to pave the way for Jordan Love to take over as the starter.
After a 2-5 start that had many questioning the Packers organization, the team won seven of their last ten games. Love and his group of first and second-year pass catchers catapulted to some of the most highly regarded players at their position. While Love has been the talk of the offseason with his upcoming contract extension, the wide receiver room has received glowing praise from former players and analysts alike.
What is not talked about enough, though, is the fact that head coach Matt LaFleur is right in the center of Green Bay’s success, something that NFL analyst Bucky Brooks pointed out in his latest article.
NFL Analyst Bucky Brooks Calls Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur Bizarrely Underrated
![Green Bay Packers: NFL Reporter Names Head Coach Matt LaFleur as "Bizarrely Underrated" 1 Green Bay Packers, Matt LaFleur](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_22332102_168400517_lowres.jpg)
During his first four seasons with the Packers, Coach LaFleur won 47 games, including 13 wins in each of his first three years. Many attributed his early success to the play of Rodgers instead of giving him the flowers he deserved.
This is what Brooks argues when he wrote:
“Five seasons into his career as an NFL head coach, Matt LaFleur boasts a .675 winning percentage, second only to Jim Harbaugh (.695) among active HCs. And yet, the leader of the Green Bay Packers is rarely discussed as one of the league’s best. What gives?
“Admittedly, I was initially guilty of downplaying LaFleur’s accomplishments at the helm of a storied franchise with 13 total championships (nine NFL titles and four Super Bowl triumphs) on the ledger. Despite seeing LaFleur post 13 wins in each of his first three seasons, I attributed most of his success to the man under center.”
Brooks then goes on to describe the Packers’ resurgence after their slow start last season and Love’ emergence as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He also described the development of the team’s young group of pass catchers and the decision to hire Jeff Hafley as defensive coordinator.
Brooks concluded:
“If Green Bay’s defense improves and the offense carries over its success from the back half of last season, watch out! The Packers could emerge as a true powerhouse, making a playoff run that results in LaFleur getting his flowers as one of the best coaches in the game.”
While it is refreshing to hear such a notable NFL analyst admit that they were wrong about LaFleur and his true impact on the team, it is also important to note that LaFleur’s success should be highlighted away from Rodgers’ individual accomplishments.
People Forget the Impact Matt LaFleur Had on the 2019 Green Bay Packers
![Green Bay Packers: NFL Reporter Names Head Coach Matt LaFleur as "Bizarrely Underrated" 2 Green Bay Packers, Matt LaFleur](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_22294228_168400517_lowres-e1721567053297.jpg)
The 2018 NFL season seems so long ago in the minds of many Packers fans. That was the season that Green Bay finished 6-9-1. Former head coach Mike McCarthy was fired before the season ended with offensive coordinator Joe Philbin taking over as interim head coach.
The following year, 2019, LaFleur led the Packers to a 13-3 record. Now, while many will point to Rodgers playing at an MVP level as the reason for his success, it should be noted that Rodgers did not exactly light the world on fire in his first year with LaFleur at the helm. In fact, his play had declined to a point where Green Bay felt they needed to select Jordan Love in the following NFL Draft.
2018 Aaron Rodgers | 2019 Aaron Rodgers | |
Completion % | 62.3% | 62.0% |
Passing Yards | 4,442 | 4,002 |
Touchdowns | 25 | 26 |
Interceptions | 2 | 4 |
Passer Rating | 97.6 | 95.4 |
As seen above, Rodgers’ numbers declined slightly. The true star on offense in 2019 was running back Aaron Jones, who led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns. It is also worth noting that Davante Adams only played 12 games that season yet had 997 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Had he been healthy for the other four games, his rise to an All-Pro may have occurred that year instead of in 2020.
One certainly cannot take away from Rodgers’ MVP performances in 2020 and 2021. Indeed, it was some of the best quarterback play that the NFL has seen in recent memory. That being said, Rodgers began to thrive again in LaFleur’s offense.
The offense did not thrive because of Rodgers, and last year proved that.
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