Matt LaFleur is trying to play Packers fans for fools
Matt LaFleur’s latest public comments should spark outrage with Packers fans
Packers fans went ballistic when their favorite franchise chose to take a quarterback in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Taking Jordan Love instead of a playmaker capable of helping Aaron Rodgers immediately was a highly questionable decision. Green Bay fans knew their offense needed more weapons.
The fact that head coach Matt LaFleur just seems to be coming around to that conclusion is nothing short of insulting to the team’s passionate fan base. He recently pointed out that the Packers offense needs to “improve…on creating more explosive plays.”
Perhaps that’s something he should have considered during the draft. Green Bay failed to select a single wideout in a position group that was widely considered to be one of the deepest classes in recent memory.
Why Green Bay Packers fans should be irate with Matt LaFleur
LaFleur’s recent words are a sad attempt at placating a fan base that is unhappy with the decisions the Packers made in the offseason. Drafting Love in the first round was understandable even if it wasn’t the right call. Doubling down on that mistake by failing to secure any other big play weapons in the draft was front office malpractice.
Instead, the Packers took a bruising running back in the form of A.J. Dillon in Round 2. He might develop into a quality starter, but he’s not what anyone would call a big play threat in the backfield. The former Boston College star can bludgeon opposing defenses with his power running but he’s not going to run by NFL defenses with his blinding speed.
LaFleur’s supporters will point out that the head coach admitted his play calling needs to change to lend itself more to downfield passing. Those words ring especially hollow when you consider how little the team did to help Rodgers in the offseason. It’s fair to wonder whether or not LaFleur and the team’s front office really want to help their veteran quarterback bring another title to Green Bay.
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The simple truth is that Packers fans deserve better from the team’s leadership. LaFleur’s recent admission that his team needs to create more explosive plays in 2020 was a weak attempt at placating a fan base that already reached that conclusion. Fortunately, fans in Green Bay are much too savvy to be swayed by such a transpararent attempt to placate their concerns. They already see the potential discord bubbling underneath the surface of the organization. LaFleur needs to act to fix those issues. Weak words won’t be enough.