Andrew Whitworth has called Matt LaFleur “a hell of a football coach” while simultaneously criticizing his ex-Green Bay Packers colleagues – including Aaron Rodgers.
Green Bay is enjoying a promising NFL season under LaFleur. Although they are third in the NFC North, the Packers are on course for a playoff spot after establishing a 9-3 record ahead of Thursday’s game against the 11-1 Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
Speaking ahead of the contest on ‘Thursday Night Football’, Amazon Prime analyst Andrew Whitworth gave LaFleur a glowing recommendation while reviewing the progress the Packers have made during the head coach’s five-year spell in Green Bay.
The Super Bowl winner highlighted some of LaFleur’s brave decisions – including seeing the back of former defensive coordinator Joe Barry, quarterbacks coach Luke Getsy, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, and franchise quarterback Rodgers.
Hackett and Rodgers are currently working together in New York with the Jets, where they are struggling to make an impression. The Jets are 3-9 and expected to make changes for 2025, with Rodgers potentially leaving the team after two disappointing years.
“When you’re talking about this team, let’s not forget about the head coach Matt LaFleur,” argued Whitworth. “Let’s look at it. We talked about Jordan Love in that second half of the season last year, he helped him and the development of this young team and what they became offensively – going and getting the playoff win.
“Then in the offseason… We talk about leadership – he fired one of his really good friends in Joe Barry, the defensive coordinator, because they needed to fix the defense. They went out and got Jeff Hafley and you see how this defense is playing. And then offensively – you get Josh Jacobs in free agency and you build an offense around him, continuing to grow and adapt to who you have and how you be at your best.
“It wasn’t that long ago we was talking about, ‘Who is Matt LaFleur when Aaron Rodgers leaves the Green Bay Packers?’ Well, Luke Getsy’s been fired twice, Nathaniel Hackett has failed twice, and Aaron Rodgers has four wins in two years as a Jet.
“Matt LaFleur, at worst, has nine wins two seasons in a row, he’s won a playoff game. I think we know exactly who Matt LaFleur is – and that’s a hell of a football coach.”
Heading into Thursday’s game, only the Lions (11), Kansas City Chiefs (11), Buffalo Bills (10), and Philadelphia Eagles (10) boasted more wins than the Packers. Green Bay will be aiming to finish the regular season strongly, with games against the Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings, and Chicago Bears on the horizon.
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