- As the Green Bay Packers head coach, Matt LaFleur has navigated a fair share of ups and downs since taking over in 2019. Under his leadership, the team has had a consistent level of success, reaching the NFC Championship Game in his first two seasons. However, as the Packers enter the 2024 season, LaFleur is facing mounting criticism not only for the team’s on-field performance but also for his approach to leadership. The time has come for LaFleur to step up and act like the “adult in the room”—to take control, provide clear direction, and elevate the Packers to the next level of contention.
### LaFleur’s Early Success and the Rise of Expectations
When LaFleur took the job in 2019, he inherited a team that was fresh off a disheartening 6-9-1 season. Despite a roster that lacked depth in some key areas, LaFleur’s offense provided a spark, and the Packers finished 13-3 in his first year. The team followed that up with another 13-3 record in 2020, reaching the NFC Championship Game in back-to-back seasons.
These early successes, coupled with LaFleur’s rapport with future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, made the future seem incredibly bright. But as any NFL coach knows, success can be fleeting. By 2022, after another NFC Championship Game appearance and a frustrating postseason exit, cracks began to show in LaFleur’s leadership, particularly in terms of his relationship with Rodgers. In many ways, the departure of Rodgers and the subsequent transition to Jordan Love created an opportunity for LaFleur to reinvent himself as a head coach.
### The Transition to Jordan Love
The 2023 season marked a critical turning point for both LaFleur and the Packers organization. With Aaron Rodgers traded to the New York Jets, the Packers turned to Jordan Love, a young quarterback with little starting experience. For the first time in nearly two decades, LaFleur had to operate without a legendary QB at the helm.
This transition has highlighted LaFleur’s growing challenges as a head coach. The Packers’ offense has struggled to find its rhythm, and Love has shown signs of promise, but also significant inconsistency. While the growing pains of a young quarterback are expected, the onus is still on LaFleur to adjust his coaching style and ensure that the team stays competitive while developing its new leader.
In the midst of this transition, however, LaFleur’s leadership has come under scrutiny. The team’s struggles aren’t just about player performance; they point to deeper issues with accountability, discipline, and decision-making.
### The Case for Leadership Growth
While LaFleur is undoubtedly a talented offensive mind, the role of an NFL head coach goes beyond play calling. He is the face of the organization, the person who sets the tone, culture, and expectations for his players. His ability to make critical in-game decisions, manage personalities, and communicate effectively with his team is just as important as his offensive scheme.
So far, there have been moments when LaFleur’s leadership has faltered in all of these areas. Whether it’s his inability to address a lack of discipline, his inconsistent message to the media, or his failure to take control of key situations during games, LaFleur has often appeared to be a passive bystander rather than the proactive leader the Packers need.
Take, for example, the 2023 season, where the team often appeared out of sync and lacking direction. The offense frequently sputtered, and mistakes like dropped passes, missed assignments, and undisciplined penalties were too commonplace. These are symptoms of a coaching staff not fully instilling a sense of accountability and attention to detail. As the head coach, LaFleur must be the one to ensure that those mistakes are corrected, not simply chalked up to youth or inexperience.
The Packers have also faced issues with player development. Under LaFleur, the team has seen flashes of brilliance from young players like Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, but consistency has been elusive. When a young quarterback like Love is trying to find his footing, the surrounding talent needs to be well-coached and put in a position to succeed. It’s LaFleur’s job to ensure that these players are developed properly and that their potential is maximized.
It’s clear that LaFleur’s soft-spoken nature, which worked well early in his tenure with a veteran-led team, is no longer enough. He must become the stern, commanding presence that leads his team through adversity and challenges them to elevate their play.
### The Challenges of Accountability
One of the most glaring issues for LaFleur is the lack of accountability within his team. As a coach, it’s essential to set high standards and hold players accountable when they don’t meet them. This has been an area where LaFleur has struggled. In some instances, he has been quick to defend players, even when their performances have been subpar. While player confidence is important, there comes a time when tough love is necessary to push a team to greater heights.
Accountability is particularly crucial for a team like the Packers, which is in the midst of a rebuild but also has enough talent to be competitive. LaFleur must demand more from his players, even if that means having difficult conversations and making hard decisions. At times, it’s seemed like LaFleur is hesitant to do this, perhaps out of a desire to keep the locker room unified or avoid confrontation. However, a lack of accountability only leads to complacency and ultimately stagnation.
### The Need for Strategic Aggression
Another area where LaFleur needs to grow is in his decision-making, particularly during high-pressure situations. Over the past few seasons, there have been several instances where LaFleur has been overly conservative in his game management. Whether it’s choosing not to go for it on fourth down, failing to adjust to opposing defenses, or playing it safe in late-game situations, LaFleur has often come across as someone unwilling to take calculated risks.
In the modern NFL, teams that want to win consistently cannot afford to be passive or predictable. LaFleur’s decision-making must evolve to embrace more aggressive strategies when necessary. Trusting his young quarterback, trusting his defense, and not always playing it safe on offense will send a message that the Packers are ready to take the next step in their development.
### Conclusion
Matt LaFleur has proven that he is capable of guiding a team to success, but the time has come for him to become the leader that the Packers need in this new era. The growing pains of a young quarterback and a transitioning roster should be met with a stronger, more commanding presence from the head coach. LaFleur must become the “adult in the room” who holds his players accountable, demands more from them, and makes the tough decisions that lead to greater success.
In short, LaFleur has the tools to turn the Packers around, but it’s up to him to harness his leadership and take charge. The players will follow the leader they respect, and it’s time for Matt LaFleur to show that he’s the one who can take the Packers to the next level. If he can evolve as a coach and leader, the Packers will have a bright future ahead—one led by LaFleur, who is no longer just the man calling the plays but the one running the show.