No QB coach, no problem for Packers' Aaron Rodgers?
-- Laying out the groundwork for a relationship with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn't go as planned in 2018. At least not for Frank Cignetti Jr., his position coach.
He was already staring in the face of adversity the second he was hired on last year as Alex Van Pelt's replacement, but Rodgers' dismal campaign and frighteningly obvious inability to sustain week-to-week success throughout the season signaled a change needed to be made -- a change that went beyond just bringing on a new head coach.
With a new head coach in Matt LaFleur, it was already virtually guaranteed Rodgers would have a new quarterbacks coach working with him. But as of Wednesday, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the team won't be retaining Cignetti on LaFleur's staff, making him the seventh member of the Mike McCarthy era that won't be around in 2019.
Van Pelt's contract expired at the end of last season, and rather than make an effort to keep him on the staff, the Packers opted to let him explore other options at the expense of Rodgers' preference. Both had developed a close bond after working together for four seasons.
Cignetti had several ties to the regime under McCarthy, even more so offering credence to team's decision to move in another direction. He served as a graduate assistant along with McCarthy at Pittsburgh in 1989 before they both reconvened in New Orleans in 2000 -- Cignetti the quarterbacks coach and McCarthy the offensive coordinator.
With Cignetti out, the focus shifts to who follows as his successor. They'll take over as the fifth quarterbacks coach in Rodgers' starting career, or sixth if you go as far back as his rookie season in which Darrell Bevell served on the staff.
While LaFleur and newly-hired offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett will both work closely with Rodgers, there's no guarantee a third voice will be hired.
LaFleur could enter the season while leaving the position vacant, and rather than overload Rodgers with too many voices in his ear, the Packers could help create a much smoother transition into his 15th season.
Under Cignetti, Rodgers set the second-lowest single-season completion percentage of his starting career, had his lowest touchdown percentage and was sacked 49 times; his most since 2012.
The goal is to help Rodgers revert back to playing the position as well as, if not better than he was before. In 2018, there was a reckless carelessness in his style of play that saw too many throws off of his back foot, missed targets that he'd typically locate in his sleep and a sense of anxiousness in the pocket after his first read wasn't available as an outlet.
Despite his belief that his fundamentals are perfectly sound, 2018 told a different story. If LaFleur and Hackett -- and potentially another voice -- could get Rodgers playing within the offense and regaining comfortability in the execution, which could happen through a well-formulated design, then the Packers could turn their fortunes around quickly.
It's going to take a lot for another new, likely unfamiliar face to come in and mesh with Rodgers, and like Cignetti, he'll already be facing an uphill climb in doing so. It may be an unnecessary practice altogether.
__________________________
Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (72)
NickPerry
January 17, 2019 at 05:32 am
IIRC I posted something at least twice this past season about the relationship between Rodgers and Cignetti. Who knows how much is true but according to a friend who has a friend on the Packers staff, Rodgers couldn't stand Cignetti. I recall a few games on TV this season where I saw Cignetti sitting next to Rodgers on the bench after a failed Drive and it looking like Rodgers was wither ignoring him or was irritated the guy was sitting next to him blabbering in Rodgers left ear. I didn't look good, that much seemed certain.
I don't know if DeFlippo has been hired by anyone yet but I'd think he could be a consideration at QB coach. Just because the guy didn't get along with Mike "The OC Killer" Zimmer and was fired doesn't mean much to me. Zimmer is on what his 4th or 5th OC since his hire? DeFlippo is a good coach and I think could be an asset to the GB Staff as a QB Coach.
jeremyjjbrown
January 17, 2019 at 06:21 am
I was pretty solidly against DeFlippo as OC. But, he might be great in a return to QB coaching and wouldn't be opposed.
"LaFleur could enter the season while leaving the position vacant"
I be shocked if this happens. Everyone has seen Rodgers has technically regressed. Rodgers was ~22 the last time he learned a new offense, now he's ~36. He's stated publicly and it seamed genuine to me he wants to be coached.
Rak43
January 18, 2019 at 04:00 pm
It is being reported the Packers have hired Adam Stenavich as offensive line coach. He spent the last 2 years as an assistant line coach in San Fran.
Skip greenBayless
January 18, 2019 at 04:43 pm
Stenavich? Sounds Russian or Croatian? Croat, what do you know about this guy?
Dash
Rak43
January 18, 2019 at 05:58 pm
Offensive line assistant for Frisco. Was all Big 10 offensive line twice at Michigan. Comes recommended by Shannahan. That's all I got Dash.
RCPackerFan
January 17, 2019 at 06:33 am
DeFlippo is going to the Jaguars OC.
Lancer
January 17, 2019 at 06:41 am
DeCouple was hired as OC in Jacksonville. //profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/01/16/jaguars-announce-john-defilippo-rest-of-staff/
NickPerry
January 17, 2019 at 06:45 am
Got it...Thanks RC and Lancer.
NickPerry
January 17, 2019 at 08:46 pm
Does anyone else find it hilarious when people get dislikes for saying "Thank you"....What IS the world coming to?... SMH..... Sure wish Al would bring in the system used on the old site before CHTV or used on Packers Talk.
NickPerry
January 17, 2019 at 08:46 pm
Does anyone else find it hilarious when people get dislikes for saying "Thank you"....What IS the world coming to?... SMH..... Sure wish Al would bring in the system used on the old site before CHTV or used on Packers Talk.
Tundraboy
January 17, 2019 at 09:57 pm
Know what you mean, NP. Here's a like.
ScaryGary
January 18, 2019 at 01:54 am
nick perry, who the fuck cares about likes and dislikes? i thought that was for vikings fans
ScaryGary
January 18, 2019 at 01:55 am
if u don't mind it doesn't matter- b. favre
NickPerry
January 18, 2019 at 05:15 am
I don't care, have plenty but for MYSELF I found it funny.
I HATE the Vikings...MORE than the Bears actually...
Free agent
January 18, 2019 at 04:56 pm
Yep... Vikings are at the top of my hate list in the NFL. F**K their indoor (piped in noise) stadium and especially that screwed up horn!
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
January 17, 2019 at 05:35 am
Rodgers is one thing but what about development of Kizer and Boyle?
EddieLeeIvory
January 17, 2019 at 06:00 am
Or....how about we had a veteran QB as backup who if needed in a pinch, doesn't need "development", but can manage a game out there.....
Lare
January 17, 2019 at 06:45 am
Probably a real good idea as Rodgers gets older and more prone to injury.
Hawg Hanner
January 17, 2019 at 02:16 pm
We need a Zeke Bratkowski type guy. Kizer will have to look real good from hereon or you have to get someone else. That third kid is just a guy.
CoachJV
January 17, 2019 at 05:19 pm
That's the best idea Eddie... Developmental QB's are for 3rd string... a veteran backup who can win at least half of what he starts (in replacement of AR), or better, is what we need.
JonathanSpader
January 17, 2019 at 08:02 pm
I prefer the Patriot method. Grab mid to later round QBs, develop them behind an againg QB that could get suspended from time to time. Once those backups step up in your system trade them to teams for more than you invested in them.
I think that's what the Packers were trying to do and failed. MM did develop Rodgers but his other QBs left a lot to be desired. TT didn't get much for then in trade. Gute at least got something for Hundley.
CoachJV
January 17, 2019 at 08:30 pm
If you want to go that route, it would be better to do it when the Star QB is still fairly young. Kinda like how Holmgren and Wolf did it under Brett Favre when the turned out guys like Hasselbeck, Aaron Brooks and Mark Brunell.
At Rodgers age, I'd prefer to have a vet who's in his late 20's to early 30's who is good enough to win while we develop our next big Star... whoever that might be.
Rak43
January 18, 2019 at 02:38 am
"It's going to take a lot for another new, likely unfamiliar face to come in and mesh with Rodgers"
It's being reported on a couple other sites that LaFleur is interested in bringing Luke Getsy back to GB and it's automatically been assumed it's for a WR coach position. Although LaFleur hasn't confirmed what position it's for. However I personally think it may possibly be for the QB coach position. Getsy, after all was a four year starter in high school at QB and also at Akron for 3 years where he set 24 or so school passing records. Getsy also spent time as a QB with the 49er's in 2007 so he definitely has the background for it, and as a rising and well respected coach I don't think the job would be too big for him at 34 years old. I've also read where he and Rodgers had a solid relationship previously which may give AR some familiarity and comfort that he never established with Cignetti. Idk, just a thought. Makes sense to me though.
NickPerry
January 17, 2019 at 05:56 am
"If LaFleur and Hackett -- and potentially another voice -- could get Rodgers playing within the offense"
IF??? I keep reading this same type of thing...IF Rodgers does this...IF Rodgers does that...IF Rodgers buys in...
WTF... Rodgers is still the player right? I mean IF there's really this many types of THESE questions then it probably won't matter one bit who they hire or what offense they run. The Packers will be screwed IF Rodgers is still doing what he wants when he wants and MLF will be gone in no time.
Big_Mel_75
January 17, 2019 at 10:54 am
Well you have to use IF cause you saw last year when Rodgers decided to give up on MM. Diva QB you have to hold them gently.
GBPDAN1
January 17, 2019 at 12:21 pm
To much turmoil last year. I hope Rodgers gets what he wants/needs with this new regime . We need him back to being..well, Rodgers!
Of course we need more talent on the roster, but Getting Rodgers back to his epic MVP caliber self is the single biggest improvement this organization could produce in 2019.
Donster
January 17, 2019 at 06:18 am
Jags hired John DeFilippo for their OC post. Rodgers was pissed that Alex Van Pelt was let go without "consulting" him. So you know their relationship was dead in the water before it started. I would imagine Cignetti's time was spent with Boyle and Kizer. The worse thing LaFluer can do is bring back Van Pelt. That would just reinforce Rodgers actions.
Rodgers is at the point in his "GOAT" career that he feels he should get what he wants. He go the big money right? That ego also reared it's ugly head with not only not re-signing Jordy Nelson, but the crap offer they extended Jordy to stay. I still feel they let him go a year to early.
I think the HC and OC have to real Rodgers in, get his fundamentals back on track. A new QB coach primary job will be to work with the backups.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
January 17, 2019 at 07:44 am
I disagree that Jordy was let go a year to early. Keeping Jordy would have severely hindered the Rookie WR's development and the Packers will be much better for it in 2019.
CoachJV
January 17, 2019 at 05:22 pm
Truth!
CAG123
January 17, 2019 at 08:32 am
I don’t see how bringing back Van Pelt would be the worse thing all QBs have egos hell Eli Manning had the audacity to have one before he even threw a pass by demanding to be traded out of San Diego. Brady got Jimmy G shipped out of town and stopped Gronk from being traded. Big Ben got Todd Haley fired despite him helping turn around the offense. All Rodgers wanted was his QB coach he enjoyed working with and another veteran presence at WR in Jordy. Nothing wrong with making your 30 million dollar investment happy GMs do it all the time.
pacman
January 17, 2019 at 10:43 am
This is not a long term plan and is only to be used on those exceptional players. If bringing back Van Pelt (if he was indeed good) will get AR back to his former self - do it!
It would sound wimpy on MLF's part, but there is no time to lose. I don't want to give AR any excuses.
pacman
January 17, 2019 at 01:33 pm
Also, I'm sure it is MLF's job to win while they still have AR. MLF can't say "it's my way or the highway". This would be a nothing in the scheme of things if it get's AR on board. As long as GB is 'stuck' with AR, they don't have a choice but to keep him happy.
Lancer
January 17, 2019 at 06:29 am
The QB coach is not critical given that both HC LaFleur and OF Hackett have lots of QB coaching experience. It really comes down to how responsibilities are delegated on the staff. In my mind the offense line coach hire is a huge decision. Especially given the need to add talent to that group and the seeming commitment to run the football more in LaFleur's offense.
Lance
jeremyjjbrown
January 17, 2019 at 06:34 am
LaFleur and Hackett have other responsibilities and limited time. How many NFL teams in the last decade had no QB coach? Are there any examples?
It's extremely unlikely.
Razer
January 17, 2019 at 08:17 am
...It really comes down to how responsibilities are delegated on the staff...
I agree that this is the more critical element for this new coaching staff. Keep it simple and concise. Three or more layers of interpretation and/or disagreement has its own dangers
...In my mind the offense line coach hire is a huge decision...
I totally agree that this is the more important staff decision. Having the guys in front of Rodgers play together and in sync will make this offense work or not.
SoCalJim
January 17, 2019 at 02:40 pm
As was mentioned in some of the earlier comments, there are more QBs on the roster than Rodgers, and they need to be ready to come into a game at any time. We better have very effective QB coaching to ensure these guys are ready, unlike what we saw the past two years from "QB whisperer" MM and his recent QB coaches.
croatpackfan
January 17, 2019 at 07:19 am
I can not believe...
Does anyone here knows what is the duties of the QB coach?
1. to work with QBs who are on the team (not only with the one QB, all of them 2, 3, 4 ... as many as team have!)
2. to communicate with starter QB during the game and transfer messages from HC and/or OC to QB and vice versa...
3. To analyze previous offensive plays with QB during the game
4. lot of other things I have no clue about - and, obviously you do not, too
Also, why Van Pelt was not retained, or better to say he did not receive offer for the next contract? Because it was obvious that he did nothing to help develop Brett Hundley or Joe Callahan during his tenure with Packers...
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
January 17, 2019 at 07:46 am
How was it obvious he did not help the back up QB's?
croatpackfan
January 17, 2019 at 08:41 am
Well, If you do not recognize that there was no improvement in Brett Hundley's playing, I can not help you!
CoachJV
January 17, 2019 at 05:29 pm
Have you forgotten the disaster that was Hundley starting after AR went down for the season? You know, the 1st losing season we had (and didn't make the playoffs for the first time in 8 years) during this current drought?
That disaster is exactly the reason Van Pelt was let go.
The other problem is Mike "The QB Whisperer" McCarthy should've been gone then too. He didn't help at all either and that is supposedly his strength as a coach.
It is best that AR hated the guy who followed, so now he can start a fresh relationship new ground.
CAG123
January 17, 2019 at 08:41 am
Yeah some players just suck Hundley was literally one of the worst QBs in his draft he was turning the ball over and making dumb decisions in college. All the QB coach can do is prepare the player it’s up to the QB to retain and use the information.
albert999
January 17, 2019 at 06:33 pm
clueless
Razer
January 17, 2019 at 07:43 am
Might be one of the worst season long performances by Aaron Rodgers since entering the league. Given that Rodgers was throwing the ball poorly, the QB coach either didn't know what to do or our QB isn't taking advice. Hiring Cignett was McCarthy dumb, so letting him go was smart.
Do we need another voice in Rodgers ear, I don't know but if we are a draft and develop team, the other learning QB's need help. I am not convinced that trying to train up a raw QB is a good use of people. The most we ever got from this approach has been Matt Flynn.
Overall, I would like to see fewer voices and a clearer message. I'd be curious how NE or the Saints handle this structurally.
Zaphod Dog
January 17, 2019 at 07:44 am
Wow. The Packers don't have a QB coach in place one day after the previous one was fired. Unprecedented! This MUST mean the plan is to go without one! It couldn't possibly mean that LaFluer is a capable and competent coach doing his due diligence. Ah for the days when sports reporting was like real reporting. Where reporters wrote stories based on real information instead of their own speculation and surmises. Where reporters investigated and found true sources instead of sitting around the break room table with other reporters quoting each other as "sources familiar with the situation" .
JonathanSpader
January 17, 2019 at 12:08 pm
You do know this is a free blog and these guys are unpaid writers not reporters right? When it comes to sports it's always been speculation and surmises. The Packers are a tight lipped organization. Those who can do, those who can't criticize.
Johnblood27
January 17, 2019 at 11:53 am
um...
Those that cant do, teach.
LeotisHarris
January 17, 2019 at 02:03 pm
Zaphod, baby, for a dude from a planet near Betelgeuse, that comes off as really abrasive. Even a guy with two heads shouldn't mistake what happens here for reporting, especially not investigative reporting. Lighten up.
TKWorldWide
January 17, 2019 at 09:09 pm
.....and don’t forget the “Francis”!
albert999
January 17, 2019 at 06:34 pm
Almighty Rodgers is his own coach
Ask McCarthy
Savage57
January 17, 2019 at 08:02 am
"I want to be coached, and coached hard."
"As long as it's by who I want, how I want it."
Johnblood27
January 17, 2019 at 11:52 am
My ex-wife said something like this on the way out the door once...
albert999
January 17, 2019 at 06:35 pm
NICE
Just once?
Free agent
January 18, 2019 at 04:59 pm
I think it was once and forever.
BoCallahan
January 17, 2019 at 08:50 am
What I keep hearing is that AR is uncoachable. Obviously, we are gathering this from body language and whatever other visible sources we can find. For a coach, there is nothing worse than an uncoachable star/premadonna that consistently does his own thing. Can a coach at the professional level bench a rogue star? I bet Belichick would do it. MM didn’t, and he is gone.
CoachJV
January 17, 2019 at 07:19 pm
I have a feeling that LaF just might have the guts to bench AR if he is indeed guilty of such behavior.
I read in an article somewhere that when Matt Ryan got all butthurt over LaF telling him how to play, LaF got in his face and said "I'm gonna tick you off every day but you're gonna play like I say"... and Ryan won MVP that year.
Now, Ryan is no AR, but I bet LaF's demeanor on the practice field is quite different than it is on TV. I bet he has the balls to bench him.
alforno54
January 17, 2019 at 03:09 pm
Does he really need a QB coach. Maybe not running for his life will help his mechanics
cheesehead1
January 17, 2019 at 08:47 pm
Agree, it all starts with the D an O lines, it’s always been that way. Also, will we ever hear the severity of Rodgers injuries this season? He was out of sorts, obviously, and missed many throws that were almost always automatic. I realize he’s getting older, at least for an athlete, but would like to know the real reasons for his sub par play. I could care less about his two interceptions. The only thing that matters are wins and losses. Big offseason for Gute, time to hit big in the draft. As always, win or lose, Go Pack!
NickPerry
January 17, 2019 at 08:55 pm
OR perhaps hitting that wide open receiver on his checkdown instead of running, running, and running around some more until he heaves it down field to the 30 yard line ..... Opps his receiver is only at the 40...Damn, another overthrow!
LambeauPlain
January 18, 2019 at 06:52 am
Both ML and Hackett have extensive QB position coaching experience....much more than MM, Philbin, Van Pelt, Edgar, or Clement who all had other positional coaching duties throughout the years.
Let Hackett take the lead coaching QBs since he won't be calling the plays. And ML said this week on the radio he intends to attend all the QB meetings unless team duties required him to be elsewhere.
Take the money saved and add it to Rizzi's offer!
albert999
January 18, 2019 at 10:32 am
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has been exposed to bright offensive minds—both retired and active. He served as a quarterbacks coach under Mike Shanahan in Washington, held the same position with the Atlanta Falcons' coaching staff (which included Kyle Shanahan as a play-caller) during Matt Ryan's All-Pro 2016 season and became an offensive coordinator for Sean McVay's Rams staff in 2017.
LaFleur can take bits and pieces from those coaching groups to refine Aaron Rodgers' game. However, the Tennessee Titans offense underwhelmed when he was calling the plays in 2018. Quarterback Marcus Mariota only had tight end Delanie Walker for one game because Walker broke his ankle in the season opener, and wide receiver Rishard Matthews requested his release after three games. Still, it's discouraging to see that Mariota finished with career lows in passing yards per game (180.6) and QBR (53.1).
Rodgers, meanwhile, may not be receptive to coaching from a first-time head coach. On Yahoo Sports' Mostly Football show, Packers tight end Marcedes Lewis recalled a moment when Rodgers overruled former head coach Mike McCarthy's orders from the sideline (h/t Ryan Young):
"One time I really saw it for the first time, we were in the huddle. I guess McCarthy called in a play, and Aaron was kind of like, 'Nah.' He gave a direction and a protection to the line, and went. It was a four-minute offense, he threw a 40-yard bomb for a completion. I'm like, 'What's really going on?' I've never seen anything like that before in my life."
If Rodgers ignored a play call from a Super Bowl-winning head coach who held the position for 13 years, will he stick to the script with a less accomplished offensive mind whose unit ranked near the bottom last year?
It's not to say Rodgers would openly disregard his head coach, but it's fair to ask if he'll trust LaFleur's decision-making in critical situations.
Since McVay was running the show in Los Angeles, LaFleur's success as a play-caller seems questionable. His proximity to offensive production far outweighs his role in contributing to those units. That raises major concern for the Packers' new hire.
Verdict: Bust
Skip greenBayless
January 18, 2019 at 01:25 pm
It's a very important question Uncle Albert. The Packers put a young inexperienced head coach with an old very experienced highly intelligent hall of fame quarterback who likes to be in total control on and off the field. What could go wrong?
Dash
Rak43
January 18, 2019 at 02:58 pm
Dash you're kinda contradicting yourself here buddy. First you point out how AR may be lonely but when they bring in a few coaches around his age he can relate to [ LaFluer, Hackett, possibly Getsy ] all who probably not by coincidence either are former QB's themselves, you seem to have a problem with that as well. It's either that or sign more aging veterans like Jahri Evans, Jordy, and Jared Cook. Or maybe some of the guys he played with at Cal like Marshawn Lynch or Desean Jackson. I think most of us fans prefer coaches his age he can relate to and challenge him rather than old overpaid vets for him to hang out with,
Skip greenBayless
January 18, 2019 at 04:40 pm
Rak, we simply don't know if LaFleur and Rodgers will be able to get along at this early point. I am sure LaFleur is going to "try" like hell and that in itself might show major weakness with the other players if they see him as trying to kiss his ass. That's why I said this is a very fine line between being coach and trying to be his friend. A lot is at stake. Do I personally think LaFleur will have the same relationship as Rodgers had with Van Pelt? No, I do not. I think Aaron Rodgers is a very very complicated individual and it takes a very special kind of "trust" for him to allow anyone into his life. He doesn't even talk to his own family. Whatever happened to him as a kid has to be related to this "trust" issue everyone talks about especially his receivers. I really believe the problems Rodgers have are more mental than physical though his skills are clearly regressing. I think a psychiatrist would be more beneficial than some new qb coach following him around wherever he goes.
Dash
CoachJV
January 18, 2019 at 04:44 pm
Well... You can say bust, but the Titans had a better record than we did using far less talent. They actually had a WINNING season. We hadn't seen one of those in a while.
Verdict: Better than you think he is.
albert999
January 18, 2019 at 01:41 pm
Exactly Riproar
UA
BoCallahan
January 18, 2019 at 02:02 pm
Uncle Albert (UA)
Years ago I was standing at an intersection in Kenosha. A brown Camaro pulled up and a stranger stuck a balloon out the window and said, “Hey, can you give me a UA?” I immediately declined and he said, “Aw, come on man! Don’t do this to me! I’m dirty.” I replied, “I didn’t do this to you, you did.” Every time I see the letters UA, I think of that. (True story)
albert999
January 18, 2019 at 10:29 pm
Sorry my friend
Uncle Albert...aka...UA
Skip greenBayless
January 19, 2019 at 12:49 am
lol..
SoCalJim
January 18, 2019 at 04:48 pm
After being in the service, I think of UA as "Unauthorized Absence."
BoCallahan
January 18, 2019 at 05:58 pm
Unauthorized Absence reminds me of how Perry played this year.
albert999
January 18, 2019 at 10:30 pm
How a lot of them played
including Rodgers
albert999
January 18, 2019 at 10:35 pm
Apparently the team has settled on one of the early leaders. According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports, the Packers are hiring Adam Stenavich as their next offensive line coach. Stenavich was one of two individuals confirmed to have been interviewed, with former Bengals OL coach Frank Pollack being the other.