Matt LaFleur talked about Joe Barry’s future
Joe Barry has been one of the most popular characters in the Green Bay Packers organization this season. And not in a good way for the 8-9 Packers. Barry’s defense has often been criticized throughout the season by fans. Fans weren’t happy after they learned head coach Matt LaFleur intends to keep his coaching staff the same.
Barry was a target of the national media too. ESPN roasted Barry for his “soft” defense by mid-October. Two months later, Mina Kimes said the Packers would fix many of the team’s problems if they fired Barry. LaFleur has been quick to defend Barry this season. It could have been a front, something many coaches do to act professionally before firing a staff member at the end of the season. However, LaFleur seems willing to back Barry after a disappointing year.
According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, LaFleur said he intends to bring Joe Barry back as the defensive coordinator next season.
Matt LaFleur on if Joe Barry will return as DC:
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) January 9, 2023
“That’s what I anticipate, yes … I don’t really anticipate a whole lot, if any, staff changes at all.”
Packers’ Twitter seems upset by the news
Many Packers fans were hoping for a change midseason and were upset on social media after hearing he’d be retained. Most, I think, assumed he’d be gone after the season. Plenty of Wisconsin Badgers fans hoped Jim Leonhard would be in the mix for the job. But Barry seems to have the title for next year. Here are the best takes on Twitter after LaFleur’s comments.
When your “fine-toothed comb” doesn’t actually have any teeth at all. https://t.co/zMPE5YbqRw
— SJB (@sj_barlament) January 9, 2023
I said it the whole time the win streak isn’t a good thing cause we were gonna keep Barry and get a mid pick, but I was called a bad fan lol https://t.co/oU7uHbmJcK
— Robert Dalton (@RobertDalton02) January 9, 2023
JIM LEONARD IS LITERALLY 2 HOURS AWAY JUST WAITING #Packers #GoPackGo https://t.co/G5MM5XRIGE
— Kyle Broughton (@KyleBroughton4) January 9, 2023
We are having another Mo Drayton situation again. Just a soft incompetent HC https://t.co/f0zLmnWeMl
— Modak (@mubmaks) January 9, 2023
This franchise is un-serious https://t.co/YzxqRsA3WO
— Hottest of Take-obs Jacob🦌 🧀 🍺 🦡 (@jacobandersonWI) January 9, 2023
LaFleur doesn’t even remotely deserve to be fired…unless he brings back Barry. In this case, he should be gone along with everyone else. https://t.co/dDzBd0WyJ6
— Doof (@Cheddxh) January 9, 2023
top 5 pick next year confirmed https://t.co/mMCiFTlByk
— tommy (@LockdownJaire) January 9, 2023
Zero accountability. Embarrassing franchise https://t.co/fs5FFjCKgq
— pain enjoyer (@GuteG0AT) January 9, 2023
We’re just fully embracing the tank then? https://t.co/8VaI3krdFr pic.twitter.com/rqPPHiH8Lm
— Gordon (@beetgordon_) January 9, 2023
Everyone at Lambeau TOMMOROW https://t.co/Fg3lKAU3jU pic.twitter.com/g52BHknY2w
— jakob (@JakeJake6659) January 9, 2023
