Green Bay has one preseason game remaining. After that, the Packers will cut their roster down to their final 53 players. As conjecture mounts over which players will be cut, head coach Matt LaFleur used his media session on Monday to show support for struggling Packers tight end Tyler Davis.
Matt LaFleur says the Packers still have a lot of confidence in Tyler Davis in spite of his miscues. “He’s done a lot of good things too,” LaFleur said. “He’s still a young, developing player … we haven’t lost any confidence in him over two plays.”
— zach jacobson (@itszacharyj) August 22, 2022
The Two Plays Matt LaFleur Was Referring To
The Packers’ first preseason game was against the San Francisco 49ers. Tyler Davis allowed a perfect pass from Jordan Love to bounce off of his hands in that game. While this is a bad enough play by itself, a 49ers defender ended up with the ball for the first of three interceptions Jordan Love threw. In the days after the game, both LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers stated that they did not feel any of those interceptions were Love’s fault. This first hiccup could’ve led to the Packers cutting Tyler Davis.
Related: Packers Preseason Grades: Who’s Performing? Who Isn’t?
After two joint practices with the New Orleans Saints last week, the Packers played a preseason game against them at Lambeau Field. In this contest, Davis caught a short pass from Love but fumbled the ball after two Saints defenders attempted to tackle him.
Tyler Davis with the fumble. Just a nightmare camp and preseason.
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) August 20, 2022
Why Did the Packers Not Cut Tyler Davis?
Honestly, I don’t know why the Packers are still confident in Tyler Davis. In May, I reported that special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia was very high on Davis for his special teams abilities. However, several Packers beat reporters and content creators have consistently shared on Twitter the struggles Davis has had day-in-and-day-out during camp.
Coaches were so excited about Tyler Davis at the start of the offseason and have given him every opportunity to back that up. All he's done since is put together a low-light reel. https://t.co/F5QCQlclpt
— Preschool Royal Rumble (@Ferd_Turgeson) August 22, 2022
Tyler Davis not only fumbled, he had the lowest run blocking grade and 2nd lowest pass blocking grade on the team. Just killin it.
— Pack Daddy | Packernet Podcast (@Pack_Daddy) August 20, 2022
Kiondre Thomas draws an illegal block in the back penalty as gunner.
Tyler Davis with his second false start of practice. This time on the punt team (first was on offense).
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) August 17, 2022
Is There Enough Depth in the Packers Tight End Room?
Thankfully, the Packers activated Robert Tonyan from the PUP and could play in Week 1. However, after Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis, and Josiah Deguara, there is no clear answer for who is tight end four. Tyler Davis was predicted by many to be that guy before training camp began. Additionally, the Packers cut Dominique Dafney, who was also in the running for that spot. It could be that Davis is the answer for the lack of better options at that position.
Related: Packers Tight End Makes Bold Comments About Offense without Davante Adams
You can watch LaFleur’s full interview in the Tweet below:
LIVE: Head Coach Matt LaFleur meets with the media ahead of Monday's #PackersCamp practice 🎥 https://t.co/G30vgX62MW
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 22, 2022
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