The Green Bay Packers hired Matt LaFleur to be their head coach before the season began. This was a head-scratching move to some, but he has his team in first place in the NFC North.
LaFleur was previously the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans. He was viewed as another young offensive guru who could come in and build a dominant group led by Aaron Rodgers. So far that has not been the case. The Packers are averaging 340 yards per game, which is 22nd in the league. They average 238.6 yards per game through the air. The offense in Green Bay has not been a well oiled machine, but they are 9-3 with a one game lead in the division.
Overall, it is safe to say that LaFleur and the Packers are exceeding expectations so far in his first season.
Matt LaFleur's Grade Entering Week 14
There are still four games left to play. This grade can and will change depending on how they finish their season. Right now, we have to give credit where it is due.
A head coach in the NFL is judged on two things first and foremost. Those two things are wins and locker room chemistry. Through 12 games, the Packers have nine wins and the players have nothing but good things to say about their coach. Green Bay has looked like a much looser team this season.
LaFleur has struggled with the X's and O's this season. The game plan of the Packers has been hard to figure out and is sometimes non-existent. Green Bay has gone into stretches of ineffectiveness during games. It seems as if when a game goes off script, LaFleur has a hard time adjusting on the fly. It almost looks like LaFleur has a playbook and is still trying to figure it out. Green Bay is still searching for their offensive identity.
Green Bay's defense has been terrible. Mike Pettine is definitely on the hot seat as the season enters it's final stretch. It is hard to argue with a 9-3 team, but this team could be in the same position with Mike McCarthy leading the way. It is clear that Green Bay, and Rodgers, just wanted a different coach. Growing pains are to be expected for LaFleur in his first season, but if a team is winning and the overall vibes are positive, he has not been failing.
Matt LaFleur Grade: B
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