Packers HC Matt LaFleur Hit With Blatant Disrespect in New Ranking
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The Green Bay Packers and head coach Matt LaFleur will enter the 2025 NFL season as a team many expect to be a contender in the NFC.
Led by Jordan Love, the offense looks to be explosive with elite young talent at the wide receiver position. They also have Josh Jacobs leading the way on the ground.
Defensively, the Packers look to have the talent needed to be very competitive. There are still questions about the cornerback position and the pass rush, but second-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley will have his unit flying around the field making plays.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.
Photo byAhead of training camp and preseason action, LaFleur has received major disrespect. He is one of the most underrated coaches in the game and a new take from an NFL analyst shows that very clearly.
Read more: Ex-Packers Defensive Star Breaks Silence on Possible Return
Pro Football Focus analyst Dalton Wasserman took a look at the top 10 returning head coaches entering the 2025 season. LaFleur didn't even make the cut for him.
On the list in order were Andy Reid, Sean Payton, Sean McVay, John Harbaugh, Mike Tomlin, Jim Harbaugh, Kyle Shanahan, Nick Sirianni, Dan Campbell, and Kevin Stefanski.
Most of those names do belong on the list. However, there are real questions about how Stefanski made the list over LaFleur.
To this point in his career after taking over as Green Bay's head coach ahead of the 2019 NFL season, LaFleur has led the team to a 67-33 record. He has been to two NFC Championship Games and has only missed the playoffs in one out of his six seasons as the Packers' head coach.
As for Stefanski, the Cleveland Browns' lead man has compiled a 40-44 career record since taking over in 2020 and has led the team to two playoff appearances in five years.
Read more: Vikings Teammate Speaks Out Boldly About JJ McCarthy
This is not a slight towards Stefanski. Rather, it's a simple acknowledgment that LaFleur has a better record and has led his teams to more success. Even after Green Bay traded legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers and were expected to rebuild, LaFleur has led them to the playoffs in two straight years.
Despite the disrespect, the Packers' head coach is simply focused on winning. He wants to bring a championship back to Lambeau Field and "Titletown."
It's about time for the NFL take take notice of just how elite of a head coach LaFleur has been throughout his career and see the trajectory he has the franchise heading in even without Rodgers leading the charge.
For more Green Bay Packers and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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