The Packers began the season in the eyes of many as favorites to win the Super Bowl. With the addition of Micah Parsons, going all in is the only way forward. Starting the season off beating former playoff teams in the Lions and Commanders is the most positive the year would look.
From that moment on, the Packers would suffer agonizing losses to the Browns, Panthers and Eagles, all games they should have won. An odd tie with the Cowboys and barely squeaking by the Cardinals. Then comes the biggest blow of them all, losing to the Bears not once, but twice in three weeks.
In all three games, the Packers led majority of the game. However, the last two games ended in an absolute collapse. According to Ian Rapoport, Matt LaFleur was not coaching for his job.
But if you needed a blueprint for how to lose your job, this is the game. The question isn’t if Matt LaFleur is a good coach, the question is can he ultimately get this team to the goal of a Super Bowl.
All Eyes on Ed Policy’s Direction for the Packers
You can’t write a more challenging start to being the Packers CEO than this one. With Ed Policy taking over for Mark Murphy, his biggest decision is already here. What will he choose to do with the head coaching position?
Obviously, after a loss like that, LaFleur’s coaching is put under a massive microscope. With even the most seasoned of Packers writers confirming it is time to move on. This is a decision that will either set the franchise up for success or a disaster.
I don’t see any reason to bring LaFleur back unless he is willing to completely overhaul his coaching staff. This includes letting Rich Bisaccia go, hiring a new offensive coordinator, and offensive line coach, and potentially much more.
The main question for keeping LaFleur is this, do you really want to change most of the staff in the middle of a Super Bowl window? Jordan Love has control of the offense and seems to have a solid relationship with his coach.
However, the counter would be, is LaFleur really the coach that can get this team to the Super Bowl in the first place? It isn’t just the two losses to the Bears to end the season; it is continued playoff shortcomings. In many of these playoff games, LaFleur being outcoached is a huge reason for the losses.
Overall, having the season end on a five-game losing streak does not help. Now with more questions than answers heading into the post season, Policy has to choose the direction he wants for this franchise. Without a clear vision, the Packers will continue to remain in playoff purgatory.
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