True or False: LaFleur Provides ‘Reason for Optimism’

In four seasons as Green Bay Packers coach, Matt LaFleur's track record is phenomenal. Now, can he win without Aaron Rodgers?

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers don’t have a proven quarterback. They don’t have a veteran receiver. What they do have is coach Matt LaFleur.

A Pro Football Focus story pinpointed every team’s “reason for optimism” entering the 2023 NFL season. LaFleur is that reason as the Packers embark on a new era with Jordan Love replacing Aaron Rodgers.

Last year’s 8-9 disappointment notwithstanding, LaFleur’s regular-season track record is almost unmatched in NFL history. His four-year record is 47-19, good for a winning percentage of .712. Only Hall of Famers Guy Chamberlain (58-16-7; .759), John Madden (103-32-7; .750) and Vince Lombardi (93-34-6; .728) have better winning percentages in NFL history among coaches with at least 50 games on their resume.

Hired by the Packers in 2019, LaFleur led the Packers to back-to-back-to-back seasons of 13 wins. No team had ever won 13-plus games in three consecutive seasons. The Packers fell flat in those playoffs but it’s hard to knock LaFleur’s regular-season track record, which is why he’s got the fifth-shortest odds for NFL Coach of the Year at FanDuel Sportsbook with the start of the season three months away.

Of course, LaFleur’s success is something of a chicken-or-egg riddle. Was he successful because of Rodgers, one of the all-time greats who won NFL MVP honors in 2020 and 2021? Or was he successful because his offensive philosophy and play-calling brought the best out of Rodgers, who was coming off down seasons in 2017 and 2018?

We’ll find out this year. LaFleur will have to find out with Love does best and adapt the offense accordingly. After giving Rodgers a great deal of freedom at the line of scrimmage, LaFleur will have to determine how much latitude Love will get.

Not only is there youth at quarterback but there’s youth at receiver, too. The three consecutive 13-win seasons came with Davante Adams on the receiving end of 321 passes and scoring 34 touchdowns. Hopes are high but Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs have a lot to prove.

Then there’s the matter of keeping Joe Barry as his defensive coordinator. The Packers endured a rocky first 12 games of the 2022 season. From Week 4 against New England through Week 12 against Philadelphia, the Packers allowed 23 points in eight of nine games. They went 2-7 in those games.

The 40-33 debacle at the Eagles in which Green Bay allowed 363 rushing yards might have been cause for dismissal. LaFleur stood by his man, though, and was rewarded. During the final five games, the Packers never allowed more than 20 points. That success played a large role in Barry getting a third season on the job.

So, can LaFleur build a winning offense around Love?

Did LaFleur make a winning decision by keeping Barry?

LaFleur’s four-year record suggests he’s one of the best coaches in the NFL. His record in Year 5 will show whether he’s a great coach or an ordinary coach who had a great quarterback.

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