Packers HC Matt LaFleur sending wrong message to team by not firing DC Joe Barry
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If you watched the Green Bay Packers’ past two games you would think that they’ve played two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks in a row in Tommy Devito of the New York Giants and Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneeers.
Green Bay’s defense had no answers for Devito on “Monday Night Football”, as he led the Giants to a win while completing 17-of-21 passes for 158 yards and one touchdown with 71 rushing yards (and no sacks).
The same can be said for the Packers’ pathetic defensive performance against Mayfield and the Bucs. He completed 22-of-28 passes for 381 yards and four touchdowns with a passer rating of 158.3. He’s the first visiting quarterback ever to earn a perfect passer rating at Lambeau Field.
As if this weren’t all bad enough, these two losses all but destroyed Green Bay’s chances of making the playoffs. Sure, that wasn’t the expectation this season, but two games ago the Packers were one of the hottest young teams in the league and they had a legitimate chance at it.
Now, defensive coordinator Joe Barry’s defense has ruined it.
So isn’t now the right time to fire Barry?
This season has been all about development and the one thing we can say for certain is that for two seasons in a row now, Barry has failed to capitalize on the plethora of talent general manager Brian Gutekunst has drafted for his defense.
Head coach Matt LaFleur may not be able to make the playoffs this season, but he can make a statement that would resound throughout his young locker room: Exceed the expectations of playing in Green Bay or lose your job.
At the moment, though, it doesn’t appear LaFleur is willing to make that move.
“Yeah, now’s not the time for that to be honest with you,” LaFleur said after the loss to Tampa when asked if he would consider an in-season change at coordinator.
Why not?
“‘Cause now is not the time. I’m trying to find solutions and I gotta go back and take a look at the film,” LaFleur explained.
It’s worth noting that Barry’s contract will run out after this season, so LaFleur doesn’t have to fire him in order to go with a new defensive coordinator for 2024.
With that said, LaFleur’s lack of action in this matter may speak volumes to his young and hungry team.
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