Matt LaFleur Needs to Solve This Problem That Hurt the Packers in 2024
By GilMartin
The Green Bay Packers increased their win total from nine to 11 in 2024 although they failed to win a playoff game like they did after the 2023 season. The Packers are a good football team, but in order to become elite, they will need to solve this problem that cost them dearly in 2024: penalties.
The Packers finished the season with 112 penalties accepted against them which left them tied for 10th in the league. But those penalties proved very costly. Against top competition, self-inflicted mistakes like lining up offsides, illegal formations or delay of game calls cost them chances to win football games.
Over the season, the Packers averaged roughly 6.6 penalties per game. In their five losses to elite NFC teams, however, that number went up to 8.4 penalties per game.
These penalties often came at the worst time. On defense, they often gave opponents a first down or made a third-and-long situation into a third-and-manageable play.
On offense, these penalties disrupted drives, took away potential touchdowns and field goals and set the Packers up in third and long situations far too often.
Yes, the Green Bay Packers were the youngest team in the NFL for the second straight season in 2024. But they cannot use this as an excuse any longer. The team must learn to avoid these penalties. Against top teams, you cannot afford to beat yourself and that’s just what the Packers did far too often against the Lions, Vikings, and Eagles this season.
In late September, LaFleur acknowledged this was already a problem. “We've had some costly penalties that have shown up in every game and it's going to come back to bite us if we don't get it cleaned up,” LaFleur admitted. “We address it every day but certainly talked about it again today. We've just got to get back to practicing with good fundamentals.”
Unfortunately, the problems persisted. In November, LaFleur expressed his frustration about the unforced errors his team kept making this season. Thanksgiving night, he told reporters, “It’s really annoying. You’ve got to be conscious. I guess we’ve got to drill it more. I got to get refs out there in practice to tell when a guy is offsides. I’ve told those guys and obviously just telling isn’t enough.”
The team needs to get in front of this problem in training camp in 2025. Signing some veteran players to help teach the younger players about discipline and how to avoid unnecessary penalties in the future would be a good first step. That decision is ultimately up to GM Brian Gutekunst.
Some of the veterans that the Packers were counting on to be leaders struggled on the field this season. Preston Smith had trouble adjusting to Jeff Hafley’s 4-3 defense and asked to be traded at the NFL trade deadline. GM Brian Gutekunst dealt him to Pittsburgh where he finished the season.
Defensive tackle Kenny Clark saw his production dip in a big way, going from 7.5 sacks and his quarterback hits fall from 16 to five.
It is more difficult to lead when you are struggling on the field and not playing up to your own standards yourself. The team was also without several veteran leaders from 2023 like De’Vondre Campbell and Aaron Jones both of whom were highly respected in the locker room.
Going forward, LaFleur and the coaching staff have to figure out how to cut down on unnecessary and untimely penalties. The difference between wins and losses in any given game in the NFL is often razor thin. Elite teams don’t beat themselves, especially when facing top opponents.
Cleaning up this problem could have helped the Packers win the NFC North in 2024. They can’t let it continue for another year if they hope to be Super Bowl contenders in 2025.
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Comments (53)
Since'61
January 30, 2025 at 11:15 am
Seriously!!!??? Six seasons as an HC and MLF needs to
Figure out how to cut down on unnecessary and untimely penalties??? How about holding players accountable when they hurt the team?
This is yet another indictment of MLFs failure as an HC to go along with his poor in game decisions, failure to prepare his team for situational football, poor clock management and retaining poor assistant coaches too long.
Presnap penalties should be handled by the end of training camp. No excuses. Or have we reached the point where it has become to much trouble to ask our players to think?
This is basically asking MLF and the coaching staff to do their job. Hold them and the players accountable if they don’t. Case closed. Thanks, Since ‘61
Coldworld
January 30, 2025 at 11:51 am
Nicely stated Sir!
“Most people see what they expect to see, what they want to see, what they've been told to see, what conventional wisdom tells them to see - not what is right in front of them in its pristine condition.” Vincent Bugliosi
Or more bluntly, given that:
“Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!” Leonardo da Vinci
It’s past time to call out these symptoms as a pattern: not simply a collection of recurring unconnected misfortunes, but the result of a specific malaise.
Since'61
January 30, 2025 at 01:28 pm
Totally correct Coldworld. It's amazing to me how many people no longer believe what they they see with their own eyes or hear with their own ears. They prefer to believe some airhead in the media tell them what they should see, hear and think. Pitiful situation that we have reached not in only sports but too many areas of society. Thanks, Since '61
Guam
January 30, 2025 at 12:45 pm
I find LaFleur to be a maddening and frustrating HC for the Packers. He clearly does a fair amount of things well. You don't field a top eight offense and top six defense by being a bad or inept coach. You don't win as many regular season games as LaFleur has by being a bad coach.
And yet his post season record is poor and his in-game management skills (clock management, challenge calls, odd offensive play calling on occasion, and lack of oversight of special teams and defense) are very questionable.
LaFleur has more to fix than penalties and yet his record is such that it is hard to give up on him. That fact that all this hasn't been corrected by year six is worrisome. I don't believe Murphy is holding LaFleur as accountable as he should. Perhaps Policy will step out of the way (as a non-football guy) and let Gute hold LaFleur accountable. Something needs to change to get maximum performance from this team and LaFleur does enough right to be hopeful, but he needs to get better in several ways.
Alberta_Packer
January 30, 2025 at 12:56 pm
LaFleur reminds me of the kid whose Dad owns the company - particularily surrounding himself with his emotional support bros -Berry, Salah, Getsy, Bissacia etc. He seems too insecure as a leader.
WestCoastPackerBacker
January 30, 2025 at 01:21 pm
You have no idea what you are talking about. Isn't it more likely that LaFleur brings in coaches that he is impressed with and has some connection to? That's how coaching hires are done in the NFL, and no coach is doing it differently. Insecure is the last word I would use to define MLF. He seems confident and competent. Yes, he makes mistakes, but so does every HC in the league, including the top coaches. It was masterful to have Malik Willis coached up withint 2-3 weeks and a game plan that allowed him to be successful and win a couple of games we would have otherwise lost, and then never got close to the playoffs.
Does he have areas to improve? Yes, for certain. But the fan commentary about him is ridiculous. He's missed the playoffs one year since starting in GB. That right there puts him in the top group of coaches. His win/loss percentage is higher than some long-term HCs - like John Harbaugh, who has won a Super Bowl already but had several seasons where the Ravens didn't make the playoffs.
Alberta_Packer
January 30, 2025 at 01:50 pm
I wear glasses - but not rose-colored ones.
WestCoastPackerBacker
January 30, 2025 at 05:43 pm
It's fine not to wear rose-colored glasses. But that doesn't mean you know what you're talking about or know anything real about the make-up of the coaching staff and the decisions made inside those rooms.
If they want to win more games and a title they need to improve. Everybody can see that. It's just the assumptions made by clueless fans that are so ridiculous.
Packerpasty
January 30, 2025 at 06:12 pm
and obviously your way smarter than those dumb asses...
PackerBackerAZ
January 30, 2025 at 03:01 pm
"I guess we’ve got to drill it more. I got to get refs out there in practice to tell when a guy is offsides. I’ve told those guys and obviously just telling isn’t enough.”
“We address it every day but certainly talked about it again today. We've just got to get back to practicing with good fundamentals.”
When the team coaches need refs to tell players they're offsides at practice, it's time to move on. If they're not practicing with good fundamentals, it's time to get a head coach whose position and coordinator coaches will practice correctly.
LaFleur's very words condemn him as incompetent.
WestCoastPackerBacker
January 30, 2025 at 05:40 pm
I don't see it as incompetent. I see it as needing to change focus and realize that the youth of this team requires a little different focus than a truly veteran team. This can be fixed, but starting over with a new HC? That usually wipes out a year as both sides of the team learn new systems. And then the HC might easily be worse and have a worse record.
Or maybe this is why the defensive line coach is now gone?
LambeauPlain
January 31, 2025 at 07:11 am
But there is the rub...I have no confidence it was LaFleur who was adamant Rebrovich needed to be replaced. I believe it was Hafley and the HC passively acquiesced.
Matt seems fearful of important personnel decisions required to improve the team's coaches and players.. They are never fun, and they are incredibly necessary to be an effective leader.
Since'61
January 30, 2025 at 01:36 pm
Guam over the last 3 seasons MLF is 29-24 which is a long way from his first 3 seasons when the Packers were 41-12 including the playoffs. 5 games over .500 the last 3 seasons after going 29 over .500 in his first 3 seasons.
That's a big drop-off and one has to question whether it was Rodgers, Adams and Jones for those first 3 seasons or MLF as the HC.
I think it's a combination of both. I also believe that as Packers fans we over value the performance of our GM, HC and players because when we get into the games with the Big Dogs we just can't run with them and the results prove it. Thanks, Since '61
Guam
January 30, 2025 at 05:53 pm
Your stats are spot on Since'61, but LaFleur was not responsible for the major rebuild the team underwent in the last three years. Moving on from a HOF QB, a potential HOF receiver and many other talented players on an aging team had to happen but that is on the front office, not LaFleur.
LaFleur can only coach what he is given by the FO and that changed dramatically over the last three years. Did you really expect LaFleur to post the same kind of win rate given the significant shift in players?
I don't want to overly defend LaFleur as I have a number of serious concerns about him, but I can't blame him for the front office decision to move on from Rodgers and Company and rebuild. And that rebuild was as much responsible for the change in win rate over the last three years as anything LaFleur did.
Since'61
January 30, 2025 at 07:15 pm
Guam I agree that LaFleur is not responsible for the rebuild of the team. But the issue with LaFleur is that he has not shown growth in his role as the team's HC. He is still making questionable in game decisions and allowing obvious problems to continue throughout entire seasons like the problem with penalties all seasons in 2024.
As for retaining poor assistant coaches for too long I'm not sure whether in Murphy's organization that's on LaFleur or on Murphy or Gute or Who's on First? This is one of those systemic problems that I post about so often with the Packers organization. Lack of accountability is a serious issue for any organization and an obvious one for the Packers for a long time. Thanks, Since '61
Guam
January 30, 2025 at 11:04 pm
You've listed exactly the same concerns I have with LaFleur.
I have become somewhat less concerned with the assistant's issue with the hire of Hafley which I view as a home run. After Mennenga, Drayton and Barry, Hafley gives me hope LaFleur is learning about proper hiring. We will see more with the new DL and QB coaches.
The in-game issues are my biggest concern and have cost the Packers games and will continue to do so until they are fixed. I believe LaFleur does not multi-task well and is overwhelmed during games between play calling and all of the other duties of a head coach (clock management, challenges, oversight of the defense and special teams, etc.etc.). Some coaches can handle that task load (Andy Reid) and others choose not to (Dan Campbell). I think LaFleur needs to reduce his in-game workload and do better at game management or it will ultimately get him fired. After six years, LaFleur apparently doesn't see the issue, so someone else will have to point it out to him. Hopefully Policy/Gute can after Murphy retires and stops unduly protecting his protege.
Ferrari-Driver
January 31, 2025 at 11:42 am
Since'61 quote: As for retaining poor assistant coaches for too long I'm not sure whether in Murphy's organization that's on LaFleur or on Murphy or Gute or Who's on First?
That wouldn't be a question if all the on the field football decisions resided with the General Manager as it was before Murphy made that change.
Packerpasty
January 30, 2025 at 06:14 pm
ive always thought that coming in with those players made MLF seem like some young genius as a HC, riding the coattails a bit..now he has to really work at it and seems more middle of the road mediocre to me..
jannesbjornson
January 30, 2025 at 06:41 pm
No doubt, time for a No Hug Zone in Packertown.
greengold
January 31, 2025 at 07:08 pm
The epic fails by Matt LaFleur keep occurring. Only Matt LaFleur can change that, and he had better or he'll get dropped like a hot rock.
Frankly, much of this is common sense stuff that he should be able to fix. Some of it is poor draft talent acquisition by Gutekunst. They both share this burden of playoff futility, and they both have a number of areas where they should focus their efforts to improve.
Situational decisions are calling out big time. How do you start an injured Jordan Love who can't push off, can't set his feet to pass the ball, vs. MIN? How do you start Love again, injured again with a groin, just weeks later against DET, expecting different results? Wow.
Josh Jacobs? In Week 2 vs IND Jacobs had 32 carries for 151 yds. Imagine how differently that MIN game might have gone if GB had pummeled MIN with a similar serving of the running game... especially with Malik Willis changing the dynamics vs that MIN D... But, no. Josh Jacobs got a mere 9 carries v. MIN.
Jacobs had a paltry 13 carries vs DET. What, LaFleur thought Love was going to sling it all over for the win with an injured groin v. DET???
WTAF has happened to common football sense?
Lphill
January 30, 2025 at 11:57 am
How about clean up the drops?
TarynsEyes
January 30, 2025 at 12:21 pm
Drops, IMO, are more a product of not understanding priorities.
1) Catch the ball
2) Catch the ball
3) Secure the ball
4) Look where you're going after you catch and secure the ball
Without the ball secured in the hands, nothing good can happen.
Holding.
1) Except for the Center, all OL hands should be taped to a flat extension. You can't grab hold of what you can't close your hand on. It's called blocking, pushing.
Off-sides.
There is a Ref on either side of the LOS, they'll let you know if you're lined up wrong. It's a tool that seems to be ignored.
If the Guard on LT has his head behind the Center's arse, instead of appearing up it, it's illegal formation.
It isn't rocket science
TarynsEyes
January 30, 2025 at 12:04 pm
No matter how good a coach/teacher, a student has to think and try.
A student with ability has to try harder to overcome the ineptitude of the coach/teacher.
What seems to be apparent in GB is a little of both.
WestCoastPackerBacker
January 30, 2025 at 01:24 pm
I am curious about the talk about accountability after the season ended. It came from the GM, the HC and even Tucker Kraft who looked frustrated with some of his (unidentified) teammates. There seems to be a lack of leadership from within the squad; there's been nobody to show the WRs the way the previous pass catchers became so successful. It's just been young guys and they're not growing the way we're used to seeing.
GregC
January 30, 2025 at 12:05 pm
Every time this subject comes up, I look at the NFL team stats, and I don't see a strong correlation, or maybe no correlation at all, between wins and penalties. Of the ten least penalized teams in 2024, four were in the playoffs. (In 2023, there were only two.) Of the ten most penalized teams in 2024, three were in the playoffs. (In 2023, there were five.)
I also don't see a huge difference in average number of penalties. From the super-disciplined Arizona Cardinals at #1 (to be fair, the Chiefs are #2) to the lowly Baltimore Ravens at #29, there is a difference of only two penalties per game: 5.4 vs. 7.4.
Still, penalties are bad, and the fewer the better. The ones that seem most preventable are pre-snap penalties. Penalties that occur during a play, which are usually the most damaging ones (mostly holding and pass interference), are usually a result of players losing their matchups. There's no one thing you can do to prevent those.
Guam
January 30, 2025 at 12:27 pm
I wish the author had done the research to show pre-snap and post-snap penalties versus course of play penalties and how the Packers stack up in each type of penalty. Pre-snap and post snap penalties are ones the HC can control. As you stated so well, course of play penalties usually result from a player losing his physical match-up and not from mental mistakes.
For mental mistakes like pre-snap penalties many coaches use playing time as a wake up call for a player. Having a quick seat on the bench for a series or more is usually enough to deliver the right message to a player. Unfortunately I can not remember LaFleur ever pulling a player from a game for a pre-snap mistake. LaFleur likes to talk about correcting a problem, but he seems unwilling to take an actual action to do so.
crayzpackfan
January 30, 2025 at 01:18 pm
I see penalties not mattering as much for really good teams. Those super good teams can overcome them. Bad teams or just good teams have a much harder time overcoming them. Bad teams who aren't heavily penalized are gonna be bad no matter what. With all things being equal, I see two perfectly matched up teams where the least penalized team, will mostly win the game providing neither team has any turnovers.
The Packers have a ways to go from the coaching side of things to be a team that can simply overcome a bad laundry day.
Alberta_Packer
January 30, 2025 at 12:23 pm
Someone First Needs To Solve MLF - Who Hurt The Packers In 2024
WestCoastPackerBacker
January 30, 2025 at 01:26 pm
yeah, 11 wins hurts, doesn't it?
Alberta_Packer
January 30, 2025 at 01:44 pm
What hurts is a 1-5 record in your own conference - while not winning one game against teams with better records.
egbertsouse
January 30, 2025 at 07:14 pm
Who cares if they get 100 wins beating up on crap teams in the regular season if they get bounced in the playoffs? You may be happy with the Participation Trophy every year but some people would like to see them in the SB.
PhantomII
February 02, 2025 at 06:47 pm
Beat 11 worse teams...Bears 1-1 / Vikings 0-2 / Lions 0-2 / Eagles 0-2. Another homer comment...GB played the entire season worse than they played in last seasons playoffs...and looked disjointed, out of sync or whatever you want to call lack of smooth execution in any game. Is it Coaching on Offense or did the entire Offense punch above it's weight last season...???....I can tell you I do not like typing the truth...I wanted a different reality that I thought would happen after last seasons surprise run. Let down...Regression across the board. The Defense picked up a lot minus a better pass rush against better teams with a plan to deal with them. We are close...But we definitely took a step back. Reload-Re-Coach and move forward.
Packers0808
January 30, 2025 at 01:35 pm
The really exasperating penalties are those stupid after the play penalties of fights, out of bounds roughing etc. Those are just rock headed stupidity or trying to act tough!
NFLfan
January 30, 2025 at 01:43 pm
Hothead Nixon. He also informed his coach that he was now a CB1 and 'is over' returning. I guess he didn't remember to tell MLF.
NFLfan
January 30, 2025 at 01:36 pm
They had many ugly wins over much weaker teams.
Cheezehead72
January 30, 2025 at 02:22 pm
And one ugly loss to a lesser team
NFLfan
January 30, 2025 at 01:39 pm
I listened to Aaron Glenn's pressor and a reporter asked if he would be calling D plays and he said no, I am now a head coach; I need to manage the entire team---Why does he know that already?
GregC
January 30, 2025 at 02:20 pm
I wish he would tell that to Andy Reid so the Chiefs will stop winning all these Super Bowls.
crayzpackfan
January 30, 2025 at 03:22 pm
He delegates a lot more than you think. Also, you're comparing Reid to MLF? One of them is an adult, who's in complete control out there who hires great staff. The other? He's a little kid throwing tantrums who surrounds himself with coaches\friends and yes men making the same mistakes year after year. MLF isn't even close to Reid's level to be compared. That's goofy.
GregC
January 30, 2025 at 04:33 pm
Some coaches call plays and some don't. I don't think it's necessarily a good thing that Aaron Glenn is not going to be calling plays. It's just his preference.
stockholder
January 30, 2025 at 01:44 pm
Lets look beyond and Deeper.
The Lions and Vikings have better Talent.
It has nothing to do with the coaching.
The #1 complaint is the pass Rush.
The #2 complaint is lack of physical play.
The only thing holding this team together is MLF.
Packerpasty
January 30, 2025 at 06:17 pm
haha, good one...Lions had a much much better coaching staff the last few years than the Packers..not even close..now we see if it all holds together with the OC and DC gone...
jannesbjornson
January 31, 2025 at 10:45 am
Even Gutedkunst cannot take responsibility for the blown Challenge calls, untimely Time Outs and ineffective short yardage play-calling. Kleen Haus.
LeotisHarris
January 30, 2025 at 02:00 pm
"This One Simple Trick Will Help The Packers In 2025" was right there. Damn.
JohnnyLogan
January 30, 2025 at 02:14 pm
It’s unsettling to watch La Fleur on the sideline, clutching his playcalling chart, frantically scrambling to devise a play as the clock winds down. Much of the precious time he could have used to strategize was wasted railing at the referees. He often appears confused, even on the verge of tears—a stark contrast to the composed, commanding presence of a coach like Lombardi.
Lombardi stood with his hands in his pockets, his focus unwavering. He didn’t waste energy berating referees; instead, he directed his intensity toward his players, both terrifying and inspiring them. His attention was always on the field, not buried in a playbook. His coaching philosophy was so deeply ingrained in his staff that they knew exactly what he wanted and executed accordingly. And if they faltered, he’d immediately correct them, demanding adaptation even in the heat of the game.
Coaching today is undoubtedly more complex, with intricate schemes and analytics playing a larger role. Yet, I still believe a great coach must keep their head in the game, fully engaged on both sides of the ball. A coach’s place is on the field, in the moment—not with their nose buried in a chart, disconnected from the pulse of the game.
Packerpasty
January 30, 2025 at 06:18 pm
I remember Rodgers coming to the sidelines with full eye roll saying something like "that fuckin play sucked" and the mic's picked it up...MLF looked forlorn...
Vachio
January 30, 2025 at 03:07 pm
Veterans probably aren't going to help the penalty issue. The Dolphins are the oldest team in the league and had 2 more penalties for 90 more yards than the Packers did.
The penalties are part of a broader lack of general discipline issue. Drops, incorrect routes, missed assignments, forcing plays...that's all part of the pie here. My gut tells me MLF needs to simplify things for his players and put more emphasis on fundamentals. He's a smart guy and smart guys tend forget that not everyone else is that same level of smart. These issues have been fairly consistent throughout his tenure as head coach. Having the most perfect scheme in the world is great and all, but the game still comes down to blocking and tackling.
HarryHodag
January 30, 2025 at 04:50 pm
When Ron Wolf came to Green Bay as General Manager he was shocked to see the 'country club atmosphere' that was everywhere with the team. Out went Lindy Infante and in came a strong disciplinarian in Mike Holmgren. Gee, the team made a rather quick turnaround from being pathetic to a Super Bowl contender.
Penalties are mental errors, not physical ones. I think one of the main problems, as an observer from the outside, is the Packers don't seem to come to the games with the right mind set. Notice the many slow starts this year. That is mental. Penalties come from a lack of concentration and discipline. I also think part of it is putting too much on a player's plate. They're thinking too much.
These errors are on the coaching staff in part. The players, now being paid to do a game of youth, need to also take responsibility and understand the rules. Even at the most elementary levels of football players are taught that you can't line up offsides. This should never happen in an NFL game.
If this sloppy play continues next season there's no doubt where the Packers will end up.
Packerpasty
January 30, 2025 at 06:19 pm
due to the coaching staff in part....a very large part...
SDPack
January 30, 2025 at 07:00 pm
From 2019 to 2022, the Packers were one of the least penalized teams in the NFL. MLF was the coach. These were mature teams with a HOF QB running the offense. In 2023, the team was overhauled. New QB. Youngest roster in the league. What a shocker! They became one of the most penalized teams in the league. This had nothing to do with MLF or poor coaching. This is simply part of the process of putting inexperienced players on the field. 2024 is a similar story. This was about the young roster. In 2025, I expect we will improve dramatically in lowering penalties simply because Love and the offense are in year 3 and the newly installed defense will have fully acclimated. This is not difficult stuff.
LambeauPlain
January 31, 2025 at 07:37 am
"The Green Bay Packers increased their win total from nine to 11 in 2024..."
Actually only increased their win total one game...from 10 to 11 wins. A weak improvement considering they fattened up on the AFC South. And a disappointing "improvement" given the solid turnaround of the Defense.
STs continue to be a problem so LaFleur decides to extend Bicassia another two years. OK.
I look forward to being proven wrong...yet it seems the team has peaked under LaFleur's leadership on the field. He is so very timid in personnel decisions. His players have to see this too. Most of us have worked for nice men or women who want to be liked...vs being motivated by strong leaders who want to be respected first and foremost. Give me that leader!
He is not growing as a HC...he is a status quo coach. If you aren't improving you are declining. And Matt is not showing improvement as a HC. A nice guy. A smart guy. But a strong leader others naturally follow?
NFLfan
January 31, 2025 at 11:55 am
Matt could actually run a very successful team but:
-He would need to be honest about his play-calling/game management weaknesses and hire a top offensive mind to partner w/him on the field. He could find that person from the college ranks, if necessary, and call him an assistant. Bisaccia should not be his 'go-to' in critical situations.
-he would need to hire top-notch coordinators & position coaches and supervise them-he currently over-delegates to average guys. (Hafley is not one of the average.)
-He would need to actively supervise Offense, Special Teams and Defense (Hafley is so good, he is letting MLF off the hook)
**** Bisaccia should do the right thing and retire. He is 64, has had a poor showing, is being paid too much and they need time to locate another ST coach.
Handsback
January 31, 2025 at 10:23 pm
Penalties, penalties, were talking penalties? When your team didn’t covert a single 3rd down by using a pass to the TE or RB compared to over 30 for the top 4 playoff teams, don’t fret about penalties. Focus on your offense and play calling. Heck for that matter, change over to the Mike Leech “Air Raid” and do away with the backs and TEs. You aren’t using them anyway.
Just MHO