When Matt LaFleur was chosen to be the next head coach of the Green Bay Packers after the firing of Mike McCarthy, there were quite a few differing opinions about the hire. Some thought that LaFleur's offensive system and youthful energy would be a positive for Green Bay, while others thought that his lack of experience would be a major issue alongside Aaron Rodgers.
Others simply didn't talk about LaFleur and instead focused on the alleged drama that Rodgers started with McCarthy. Many didn't see the pairing of LaFleur and Rodgers working out.
Through the first 10 games of the LaFleur era in Green Bay, the Packers are 8-2 and are looking like legitimate Super Bowl contenders once again.
With all of that being said, let's dive in and take a look at what grade LaFleur deserves for his performance as the Packers' head coach.
Matt LaFleur Grade Through 10 Games with the Packers: A-
First of all, LaFleur is well deserving of this grade and likely will end the season with an A or A+ depending on how the Packers finish the season. He has taken control of this football team and has completely turned around the outlook of the franchise.
Part of the team's resurgence has been due to the aggressiveness of general manager Brian Gutekunst in the offseason. Gutekunst's grade is without question an A+ right now with the way all of his new roster additions have panned out. The only possible ding on his record is Rashan Gary, but it is way too early to say anything about the rookie pass rusher.
LaFleur has turned the offense around from the stale system that McCarthy used to run. He has focused on establishing the ground game and getting the football out quickly in the passing game. After establishing those two things, LaFleur has taken big-time shots down the field off of play-action.
Rodgers has been playing like an MVP again this season after a couple of rough seasons.
Defensively, LaFleur made the right decision by sticking with defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. Green Bay started the season as one of the NFL's top defenses. They have fallen a bit from that platform, but are still a much better unit than they have been in recent years.
Most importantly, players have bought into the system and there is real chemistry. No one can say that this team has a ton of drama within its ranks like the rumors said when McCarthy was leading the charge.
LaFleur is not the only one responsible for the Packers' impressive turnaround, but he deserves a lot of credit. He has taken over a team that had underperformed for years and they are now one of the best teams in the league. The scary part for opponents is that things will only get better as LaFleur and the Packers gain more experience together.
Expect the Packers to be among the NFL's elite for many years to come with LaFleur leading the way.
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