Green Bay Packers HC LaFleur Will Consider Giving up Play-Calling Duties

The Green Bay Packers 2022 season didn't quite end how they wanted, and they're willing to try anything to improve next year. At his Monday press conference, head coach Matt LaFleur suggested he'd be willing to give up play-calling duties next season.

Matt LaFleur says it’s crossed his mind to give up play-calling duties. Wants to do what’s best for the team.

He was asked if he’d bring Nathaniel Hackett back and/or consider handing over play calling.

“I’ve definitely entertained all that.”
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) January 9, 2023

LaFleur also mentioned he'd be open to a return for recently fired Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett, who served as offensive coordinator for the Packers from 2019 to 2021. Despite two MVPs for quarterback Aaron Rodgers and a consistently strong run game, the Packers have finished 10th or lower in scoring in three of four years under LaFleur.

The Packers finished 8-9 this season after three consecutive 13-win seasons primarily because of the decline of their passing game: they finished with the 17th most passing yards in the league and the 15th most net passing yards per attempt in 2022 after finishing in the top 10 for both in 2020 and 2021.

Unfortunately for the Packers, that regression likely has more to do with the shift in overall talent than the play calling. The team traded away two-time All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams during the offseason and also allowed deep threat Marquez Valdes-Scantling to depart in free agency. Adams earned his sixth career Pro Bowl with the Las Vegas Raiders, and Valdes-Scantling caught 42 balls for 687 yards on the Kansas City Chiefs' top-ranked scoring offense. Playcalling can only make up so much.