Mike Holmgren, Ray Rhodes, and Mike Sherman never faced such a daunting challenge. Now, it’s up to Matt LaFleur to prove if he can keep the Green Bay Packers competitive while their franchise quarterback is sidelined for an extended period.
LaFleur, in his sixth year as the Packers’ head coach, has been fortunate to have exceptional quarterback health during his tenure. In his first four seasons, future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers made 70 of 71 starts, including playoffs, and won two MVP awards. The only missed game was due to COVID in 2021. Last season, Jordan Love started all 19 games and showed significant improvement in the latter half of the year.
With a solid track record of 59-31 (.656 winning percentage) in his first five seasons, LaFleur’s luck with quarterback health has now hit a major snag. Love suffered an MCL sprain in the Packers’ recent game, expected to sideline him for 3-6 weeks. LaFleur must now navigate the season with Malik Willis, a former Tennessee Titan, as his starting quarterback.
Historical Context
Since 1992, only one Green Bay coach has faced the challenge of winning with a backup quarterback for a significant stretch — Mike McCarthy. Holmgren, Rhodes, and Sherman were all fortunate to coach Brett Favre, who made 275 consecutive starts and led the team to two Super Bowls and 11 playoff berths.
McCarthy’s tenure saw Rodgers miss 18 starts, forcing him to rely on backups like Matt Flynn, Seneca Wallace, Scott Tolzien, and Brett Hundley. The Packers managed a 6-11-1 record in those games, with Flynn being the most successful backup.
The Current Challenge
LaFleur now faces an unprecedented challenge. The Packers will likely start Willis, acquired from the Titans in late August for a seventh-round pick. Willis, a third-round pick in 2022, struggled as a starter for the Titans, posting a 49.4 passer rating and amassing just 350 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions in 11 games.
Despite these struggles, the Packers saw potential in Willis. General Manager Brian Gutekunst praised Willis’s progress under the Titans’ coaching staff, noting his improvements in playing from the pocket.
LaFleur’s Approach
LaFleur has been recognized as one of the NFL’s most innovative offensive minds. He played a significant role in Rodgers’ MVP seasons and helped Love develop into a promising quarterback. However, with Willis taking the helm, LaFleur faces a new set of challenges.
Willis, known for his dual-threat capabilities and elusiveness, lacks polish as a passer. His throwing mechanics and field recognition are inconsistent, and he has a tendency to take unnecessary sacks. LaFleur will need to refine Willis’s skills and adapt his offensive strategy to compensate for these weaknesses.
Looking Ahead
The Packers’ upcoming schedule includes a critical game against the Indianapolis Colts on September 15. LaFleur’s ability to keep the team competitive during Love’s absence will be crucial for the Packers’ playoff hopes. The success of this period will largely depend on LaFleur’s adaptability and Willis’s growth under his guidance.
As the Packers face this formidable challenge, all eyes will be on LaFleur to see if he can navigate this adversity and keep the team’s season on track.