Dear Coach Matt LaFleur,
As a devoted Green Bay Packers fan for as many of my 55 years, as I can recall, I first want to thank you for all the successes you have brought to Lombardi Avenue over your tenure. In your six seasons at the helm, you have averaged well over ten wins per year in the regular season and made the Packers legitimate Super Bowl contenders during your stay. On behalf of all Packers fans, we thank you for that.
However, I would be remiss if I did not point out the 3-5 playoff record you now possess after Sunday’s loss in Philadelphia. Yes, two of those losses were in the NFC Championship Game, but we in Wisconsin and all over Green and Gold Nation are thirsting for that next step.
Here are three suggestions to hopefully get your team over the hump and set to be fitted for Super Bowl rings.
Look, I get it. Your job is on the line every year, which is dictated by what happens every play of every week, and sometimes, things can get heated and frustrating.
But, if every play is considered life or death and worthy of histrionics, how do your players know which circumstances are more important than others? It feels like the referees hear about every call they make from you that goes against the Packers, no matter the situation or condition of the game. Sooner than later, those officials will view that constant complaining as “white noise” and not give Green Bay the benefit of the doubt when it matters.
Furthermore, your players are human, not robots. They will make mistakes from time to time. You do not have to act like someone stole your lunch money whenever the defense misses a tackle or drops a pass. Roll with it. Try some calming positivity with your young squad–they might just respond by playing more freely with your confident words in their heads.
An old saying states, “You are either coaching it or allowing it to happen.” Coach, this means your players are a direct reflection of your tutelage, and Sunday’s bitter loss against the Eagles revealed the character of the players under your command.
Your team was whistled for eight penalties, resulting in surrendering a whopping 85 yards. In a “win or go home” game, your players exhibited a disappointing lack of discipline that cemented the Packers’ fate. I will overlook the holding penalties committed by offensive linemen thrust into the fire after injuries to starters. Kind of. But the personal foul penalties are a connection to your control of your guys.
First, Keisean Nixon pushed Saquon Barkley to the ground, although they were five yards out of bounds, which gave the Eagles a first down instead of third and long. Then, TJ Slaton followed that transgression with one of his own. On 2nd and 5, Barkley’s progress had been stopped for 1 yard at the Packers’ 36-yard line, which would have set up 3rd and 4, but Slaton kept going after the whistle and threw Barkley to the ground. The result was 15 more free yards for Philadelphia and, more importantly, a first down.
Both fourth-quarter penalties resulted in Philadelphia field goals, putting the game out of reach.
What is particularly galling is that you were quoted during your post-game presser that you “lamented the lack of discipline” and said your players “needed to be better at keeping their emotions in check.”
One suggestion is to set the example you wish your charges to follow. If your players were “disciplined” in the first place, which falls under the jurisdiction of you and your coaching staff, those penalties would not have happened.
Even Philly fans recognized the lack of control:
Coach, you have holes to fill before the 2025 season embarks. Your general manager, Brian Gutekunst, has shown a knack for finding hidden gems for you, so give him your undivided and wholehearted support.
You need an offensive lineman to play right away, especially if Josh Meyers’ injury on Sunday has any lasting effects that fester into the off-season.
Two SEC offensive linemen stand out amongst all other prospects, and they both would look good in green and gold. Kelvin Banks, a tackle from Texas, is the top-rated lineman entering the draft. Banks captured both the Outland and Lombardi trophies, and he has the versatility to play tackle or guard at the next level.
LSU’s Will Campbell is both practical and durable; he did not give up a sack over his final 15 games and played every snap in 22 of the 25 SEC games he played. Campbell, like Banks, projects as either a guard or tackle.
In addition, your defense could use a dominant defensive lineman. I’m unsure if you knew this, but your team has an estimated salary cap space of $51.2 million for this upcoming season. If you are looking to make suggestions to your boss, Gutey, you may want to bring up the name of Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, who could be looking into leaving Las Vegas for the right fit.
Coach LaFleur, I will leave you with this: You know how passionate the fans of the Packers are, and you also understand that Green Bay is known as “Titletown” for a reason. Your record of 67-33 in the regular season proves you win far more often than lose, but now is the time to take the next step. Please consider these suggestions, and I wish you nothing but the best of luck going forward.
Sincerely,
Jon Stillman
Representative of the Green and Gold Nation
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