A 1-2 start has a way of turning up the volume, and in Green Bay, the early noise is already landing on Matt LaFleur.
One unnamed NFL general manager told Casino.org’s Jason La Canfora that LaFleur “looks overwhelmed” as the Packers try to sort through a messy opening stretch. That same executive went a step further, saying the head coach is “in a lot of trouble.”
It’s a striking read on a coach who has built plenty of credibility in Green Bay. LaFleur has guided the Packers to six playoff appearances in seven years, and the organization gave him a multiyear contract extension in January. But those accomplishments do not erase the reality of a rough September, especially when the issues are spread all over the roster.
The Packers’ 35-14 home loss to the Atlanta Falcons pushed them to 1-2, and the problems have not been confined to one side of the ball. La Canfora noted concerns with the offensive line, defense and special teams, all of which have left LaFleur trying to steady a team that has yet to find its footing.
The numbers tell the story plainly. Green Bay is averaging 18.7 points per game, which ranks 22nd in the NFL.
The defense has allowed 30.3 points per game, putting the Packers 29th. On the ground, the struggles have been even harsher: just 146 rushing yards through Week 3, the lowest total in the league.
That kind of imbalance puts the spotlight squarely on LaFleur, especially if he is trying to juggle play calling while managing the bigger picture. The executive’s concern centered on that exact question, whether the coach can handle both jobs effectively while the Packers work through their early-season slump.
The schedule gives Green Bay a chance to answer some of that criticism quickly. The Packers head to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers on Sunday, Oct. 4, with an opportunity to start changing the tone around the team.
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Former Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden added to the buzz by publicly encouraging Daniels, framing the moment as both an opportunity and a test of mindset. For Green Bay, the bigger picture is simple: a young quarterback stepping into a pressure-filled setting can bring unpredictability, and the Packers will be dealing with a Tampa Bay team hoping this change at the position can finally spark a turnaround. [Read more 🡒]