Packers Coach Matt LaFleur Needs to Take His Own Advice on “Finishing”
By GilMartin
The Green Bay Packers finished up mandatory minicamp on Thursday. When addressing the media this week, head coach Matt LaFleur discussed one thing he was preaching to the team over the offseason and that was “finishing.” The Packers lost too many games when opponents managed late-game rallies including the team’s playoff loss to the Bears.
“It all starts with a mindset and being conscious of that,” LaFleur told reporters. “That’s one thing we’ve definitely emphasized. Finishing every rep. Finishing every drill. Certainly, reinforcing that in those team meetings. As we get into camp and into more competitive periods, it’ll be another area of emphasis as we move forward.”
This is important for the players and LaFleur is right to remind them of it. Finishing is important in the NFL. When you have established a lead and have the other team down, you need to finish them off. You can’t change your game plan drastically and take your foot off the gas. But LaFleur also has to consider listening to his own words because his failure to “finish” as a coach and play caller contributed to the team’s struggles in that area last season.
The playoff game in Chicago was the most painful example of a recurring problem. The Packers held a seemingly comfortable 21-3 lead at halftime. Green Bay scored touchdowns on their first three drives of the game. These were long drives of nine, 10, and eight plays. On the final drive before the break, the Packers got into field goal range with little time left on the clock although Brandon McManus missed a 55-yard field goal on the final play of the half. On all four drives, the Packers moved the football with a good, aggressive mix of running and passing and the play calls were creative and aggressive.
But in the second half, LaFleur’s play calling got conservative. He took his foot off the gas despite his famous slogan of “all gas, no brake.” LaFleur stopped his innovative play calling. The pre-snap motion ceased. The scheming players open in the passing game stopped. The play calls became basic and bland, and the running game was ineffective.
The Packers punted on each of their first four drives of the second half and gained just one first down in three third quarter-drives. They gave the Bears every chance to get back into the game. The Bears scored on five of their six second half drives and won the football game. When you do that against quality opponents, you will end up losing games you should have won.
LaFleur did get more aggressive again after the Bears had already rallied and got back into the game. The Packers scored again with 3:32 left in the game, moved the ball into field goal range but McManus missed the kick and then got as close as the Chicago 23 before the clock ran out and the game was over.
LaFleur also needs to be more aggressive and to go for it more often on fourth and short situations like most modern NFL coaches do. The analytics prove this is the higher percentage move and LaFleur should go in that direction more often.
Finishing means continuing to follow your game plan even with a big lead. You don’t need to run up the score, necessarily, but you do need to continue to play like you want to win. The culture on a football team often is set from the top and from the leaders in the locker room. LaFleur needs to do his part to “finish” in 2026 if the Packers hope to contend for a Super Bowl this season.
He also has to commit himself to reducing the mental errors that have plagued the team over the last few seasons. Lining up offsides, not having the proper number of players in the huddle or burning timeouts because of slow play calls are all issues that can be cleaned up and start with the coaching staff setting the tone.
The coach was right when he addressed the team about the importance of “finishing” this season. He also needs to make sure he does the same thing, or the results will likely be more of the same.
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Comments (52)
splitpea1
June 13, 2026 at 11:04 am
Good job, Gil, hold him accountable! Yes, he should be the one setting the tone in all aspects. By the way, since the Packers are frequently one the league's youngest rosters, is the MLF philosophy of a player-led team really compatible?
Actually, a more damning example of MLF needing to improve his gameday coaching was the previous season's loss to the Bears in the finale--at home when there was still technically something to play for. How in the hell do you lose that game to a bad Bears team with an interim coaching staff that knows they're gone? You simply have to find a way to win here, period.
stockholder
June 13, 2026 at 11:09 am
I think he's just wanting them to realize their potential.
dobber
June 13, 2026 at 05:34 pm
...and work on their pad level.
TKWorldWide
June 13, 2026 at 08:41 pm
All pads, no brakes!
Spock
June 14, 2026 at 09:30 am
Nice one, TK!
Savage57
June 13, 2026 at 11:11 am
Time has shown us Matt's tendency to move away from the balance and creativity which was successful building the lead, and trying to somehow transition to a run heavy team trying to play bully ball leads to most of the collapses. It's not who the Packers are, but once a lead's been established Matt always try's to make them be that team. They're not built or designed to be that team.
Someone on his staff, Packers brass, or the players needs to divorce him from the idea that once a lead's been established doing something other than what got it for you is the path to success.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 14, 2026 at 05:56 am
Yup.
And the idea of "not running up the score" deserves its own Darwin award. Score 50 points in every game and you'll probably win more than 9 games .What's wrong with winning 50-0? It sure beats losing by 3 to a bad team
Since'75
June 14, 2026 at 12:25 pm
Back when the Badgers were good, they rarely went to the next level of putting teams away, in a big way, like the powerhouse teams do in college football.
It bugged me to no end.
T7Steve
June 13, 2026 at 11:22 am
Yes! Finnish! Swedish isn't near good enough.
Keep studying and working on time out and clock usage along with the proper time to challenge. Let the little ones go that won't really effect the outcome because later in the game you'll usually get one that will also work as an extra needed timeout.
Bitternotsour
June 13, 2026 at 11:59 am
It's an incomprehensible language, but sure, why not. Sorta the complexity of illusion.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 14, 2026 at 05:58 am
Finngenuity.
GregC
June 13, 2026 at 11:56 am
The Packers had 22 pass attempts in the second half of that playoff loss to the Bears. That doesn't sound like taking their foot off the gas. You can criticize the plays that they called because obviously they did not work, but it wasn't a lack of aggressiveness that did them in. The offensive line couldn't block anybody. It's hard to score points when that happens.
Alberta_Packer
June 13, 2026 at 12:20 pm
A fair comment. However why was the O-line sub-par? I posit that it had a lot to do with the O-line coaching, development and management practices - which was ultimately under the purview of LaFleur.
dobber
June 13, 2026 at 12:48 pm
They threw exactly one pass more than 10 yards downfield on those first four drives after half, where they had three 3 and outs and one drive of 5 plays (and 12 yards). That's not stomping on your opponent's throat, either.
"The offensive line couldn't block anybody. "
I'd argue that with an athletic QB like Love, the Packers fail to roll the pocket or boot very much when teams come after him.
Alberta_Packer
June 13, 2026 at 01:03 pm
I view Love as an effective roll-out and off-platform quarterback, So not utilizing him in this manner does speak to LaFleur's play call conservatism. Just like LaFleur not using Malik Willis more as a situational or change-of-pace QB.
dobber
June 13, 2026 at 02:49 pm
Adjustments just aren't LaF's thing.
Alberta_Packer
June 13, 2026 at 03:23 pm
That's got to be uncomfortable.
TKWorldWide
June 13, 2026 at 01:53 pm
And didn’t the Bears start blitzing far more in the second half than they did in the first? And suddenly GB’s line stunk at picking up those blitzes? That would be on coaching and preparation, right?
Isn’t Love seasoned enough to handle RPO’s successfully? Or even just check to a different play when he sees the blitz coming? Or did Chicago do a masterful job at disguising? Once again reminding us that football is a complicated, team game.
GPG!
Alberta_Packer
June 13, 2026 at 12:41 pm
I see LaFleur's challenge as the difference between a rough carpenter and a finishing carpenter. LaFleur has shown that he can build the structure of an Offense. Now can he add the finishing touches - which requires specialized skills? Hopefully LaFleur has been watching Finish Carpentry TV during his downtime.
Since'61
June 13, 2026 at 01:39 pm
And yet another sad commentary about MLF. After 7 years as an NFL HC he is realizing that his team needs to finish. This has been a recurring problems with his teams going back to the seasons when Rodgers was still here. I don't know and can't understand how Policy came to the decision to extend Matt Lachooch after ending 2025 with a 5 game losing streak including a first round playoff loss with a 21-3 lead at halftime.
I have posted previously that I doubt if Gute would have retained him if he'd had complete control of all football operations as an actual NFL GM should have. This on going approach of having GM, HC and Salary cap head reporting as equals to the team president has not worked for the Packers and I think it hurts the team. It just sends the wrong message to the players. No accountability is not good for any organization in any type of business. Thanks, Since '61
GreenandBold
June 13, 2026 at 02:13 pm
If MLF or the team continue on last seasons path of losing games they should win then LaFleur needs to go . Forget the extension it would and should be obvious to everyone including most fans that it’s time to move on . Absolutely no excuses .
Coldworld
June 14, 2026 at 06:56 am
This season is shaping up to be an acid test for LaFleur. There is really no reason this offense should not put up points. There is really no excuse for the OL to be as unimpressive as last year. Injuries may diminish potential certainly, but if we can’t protect and run block adequately or if we do and we still can’t close games out, then the fiction of competence will be completely shredded. If our O is a problem again, then LaFleur has to go. There simply won’t be any basis left for believing he can overcome these long standing traits or that his choices of Stenavich and Butkus were any better than that of Barry.
Bitternotsour
June 14, 2026 at 09:18 am
The offense is the litmus test. The defense has been more than adequate for the past years.
Alberta_Packer
June 14, 2026 at 01:04 pm
This should be a 'prove it' year for LaFleur. That being so - a one year contract extension would have been more responsible - than the multi-year windfall that he was gifted.
bjkdad44
June 14, 2026 at 09:18 pm
Indeed!!!!!
Vachio
June 13, 2026 at 02:15 pm
That's the cold, hard, sad truth. Not finishing has become the team's identity over the last couple of years. You can see it in the demeanor of our opponents. Nobody is worried about being down late in the game. The other sideline is excited and expectant when this team has a lead. You can see them thinking, "Give it time...they're going to choke and give us the win." That really needs to change and it starts with MLF.
Handsback
June 13, 2026 at 02:57 pm
I mentioned this before, I think Atlanta's choke job in the SB, has made a lasting impression on MLF. Get a lead and then milk the clock by running the ball, and short passing attack.
It just doesn't work and plus is the exact opposite of going full throttle.
I don't know why Green Bay couldn't figure out the Bears blitzes in the 2nd half. It might point to another issue of lack of focus during practices. That's another issue for another time.
JMHO
Since'75
June 14, 2026 at 12:41 pm
The Falcons lost that game purely on bad clock management.
They mishandled the clock, just long enough to let the Patriots come back and beat them.
it was weird to watch the self destruction.
They would call pass plays and not run the play clock down.
It was mind boggling.
I remember yelling at my tv even though it wasn't my team, it was just so stupid.
Just so strange how Shanahan and MLF didn't realize that you don't snap the ball with 16 seconds left on the play cock, time after time, after time, after time, after.........
It was amazing to watch, as if they had no clue how to eat the play clock.
It cost them the Super Bowl!!
Leatherhead
June 14, 2026 at 06:37 pm
Every time I see a game-changing TD in the last minute, I think that if the other team had just done a little better job of burning the clock, the game would have been over before the TD could have been scored.
I think (but I'm not sure), that MLF wins most of the games where he's tied or leading in the 4th quarter. That's not much of a consolation, I know.
The Spurs......you talk about bad clock management. It was really painful to watch.
LeotisHarris
June 13, 2026 at 02:59 pm
Atta boy, Matt. Finishing, Yes. A guy can only think about baseball so long. Just finish.
Bitternotsour
June 14, 2026 at 09:09 am
there are avid message boards that disprove your theory
Since'75
June 14, 2026 at 12:50 pm
No...thinking about baseball...works.😎
Grandfathered
June 13, 2026 at 10:50 pm
MLF really said "ALL GAS NO BRAKE"? And he's famous for saying it? You're scaring me, because I don't recall hearing or seeing this philosophy.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 14, 2026 at 06:04 am
LGNFB
He's posted that many times
Coldworld
June 14, 2026 at 07:06 am
Live mike capture in 2019 after we went up 42-17. LaFleur was heard exclaiming: “All gas, no f*ckin brake.” LaFleur later acknowledged that this became their mantra in 2020, but that there was no slogan for 2021.
Lare
June 14, 2026 at 05:54 am
One thing you can say for MLF, he is consistent.
HarryHodag
June 14, 2026 at 06:48 am
Yet another opportunity(during the slow off season) to pick a scab until it bleeds.
MLF and Gute aren't going anywhere anytime soon. You can debate the merit of those two decisions but the decisions have been made.
Put the hammer down that you've been hitting yourself in the head with and realize this gnashing of teeth is pointless. Like the guy who stays at a party too long, this debate has been going on too long. I'm sure after a few losses this season certain members of the fan base will again be calling for heads. It isn't going to happen. Policy made that policy and we have to live with it.
Everyone knows what has to happen this year, mainly after Micah Parsons returns.
One point that still is annoying is how long were the extensions given to MLF and Gute? I see a lot of Packers stuff and no one has mentioned the length of the extensions. That could have a bearing depending how this upcoming season moves forward.
Bitternotsour
June 14, 2026 at 09:15 am
I would quibble with the length of the extension being a deterrent to firing one or both. If LeFleur shits the bed they'll fire him (I doubt he does). They'll just eat the contract. Doesn't affect the salary cap. The club is plenty profitable. All the length of contract signifies is that they believe they're headed in the right direction. Nothing prevents Policy from changing his mind.
Since'75
June 14, 2026 at 12:57 pm
Harry...the length of the contracts are secret, it is none of your business.
This is a publicly held franchise, thus, they don't have to tell you anything. 😏
Until...the next stock sale, when they want to reach in your wallet.
Alberta_Packer
June 14, 2026 at 01:30 pm
As a community owned organization - I'm pretty sure that the Packers have to disclose all financial information - including contracts. With LaFleur - they are simply choosing not to do so. Perhaps knowing that it would attract unwanted attention to their questionable decision making. However, a formal legal request or a FOIA application could oblige the Board to release this information.
Coldworld
June 14, 2026 at 03:24 pm
They are not a listed entity governed by the SEC and neither their articles nor the State rules under which they are incorporated require them to disclose the details of executive pay, even to shareholders. That is an oversight in my mind for a publicly owned entity, but that’s how it is.
Lare
June 14, 2026 at 04:42 pm
I guess I'm not as concerned about them not disclosing the information on MLF's and Gutekunst's contract extensions as I am about the fact that they feel that they have to keep that information secret. What are they trying to hide?
I just have a bad feeling in my gut about the Ed Policy era of Packer's management.
Since'75
June 14, 2026 at 06:42 pm
I'm with you....
Remember when Murphy was in search mode for a new GM.
It was then disclosed that the summer earlier (about 6,7 months earlier) they signed McCarthy to a one year extension.
Nobody knew about it, nobody outside that building.
They are NOT forthcoming, and for a Publicly owned non profit entity, i find that disturbing.
if that isn't reason enough, consider the stock sales.
They reaped about 180 million in revenue, from the fans.
They (We) gave that, mostly out of fandom and loyalty.
Nobody....is asking for any high security secret information from the Packers.
When you sign a coach, maybe let us know?
When you sign a GM and head coach, tell us how long the contracts are.
My God....is that too much too ask?
They know, we as fans would like to know that stuff, but......
The secrecy, the Board having to tell the President to do his job (removing Ted from his position).
The power structure, which worked very very well before someone's ego got in the way.
LeotisHarris
June 14, 2026 at 07:08 pm
Exactly, CW, and I think it's the NFL confidentiality constraints that allow them to shield detailed internal data like executive salaries and general ledgers.
Shareholders receive a financial report ahead of the annual meeting. It includes total revenue, corporate expenditures, operating profit, and sometimes a refrigerator magnet or a can coozie.
Since'75
June 14, 2026 at 06:49 pm
Alberta...Yes, the Packers financials are public information, and they are looked at because they are the only source of NFL team financials available to the Public.
So inquiring entity's gain access to those.
I'm no expert, and i'm guessing, which i hate doing.
But i'd imagine those financials don't break down each positional salary, or contract details regarding length of contracts.
You may be correct about the request....but that's out of my realm.
Good post Alberta!!
Alberta_Packer
June 14, 2026 at 11:50 pm
What I do know is that living in Canada - I would have had an easier time acquiring that information. Which only confirms the difference(s) between national, state/provincial and local laws.
CanPackFan
June 14, 2026 at 05:32 pm
Yup. Accountability is a requirement for everyone on a team, and especially its coaches. I've watched some pretty poor play calling from MLF over the years and last year's was most frustrating. Rather than go into a second half with a lead and an obvious run game mentality, how about keeping the petal to the metal? Intermix the run and the pass, and use each when its not obvious?
This team still has some significant holes in its lineup - especially on the Oline and defense. History indicates that Gutey will ignore most them and hope for the best. But, that means that GB will have to maximize every advantage it can to offset its weaknesses...
Leatherhead
June 14, 2026 at 06:26 pm
Finishing is always the hardest thing. Closing the deal. Not just in sports, but in business and sales and various social endeavors, it's all about finishing. That's why Bart was so freakin' great.....he could seal the deal. Brady, too. Finish strong.
We had a pretty bad finish here in San Antonio in the NBA season. That's about as big of a hairball as I've ever seen get coughed up on a basketball court. The Packers choked themselves out of the playoffs in a few minutes in Chicago. It happens.
IMO, I think that it has to be the offense that closes out these games. They have the ball and they can burn the clock. Every first down is like a coffin nail. The best defense in the NFL is the one that's on the sidelines watching the offense grind out first downs.
Fortunately, this is a veteran offense. Love in his 7th year. Most of the rest of the offense has been with the team for at least two years, so this is a group that's been around the block enough times that they should be able to close these games out, and not give the defense or special teams a chance to screw things up.
"If you score every time, they'll never catch up"......Anonymous Coach.
Lphill
June 15, 2026 at 06:49 am
some blame falls on Hafley , he lost Parsons and couldn't scheme any blitzes or packages ?
Leatherhead
June 15, 2026 at 10:59 am
Parsons, and Wyatt, had been missing for a while. They held a playoff team without a TD for the first three quarters.
This wasn't about schemes or packages or even who we had available. IMO,this was about poise under pressure, which we lacked.
Zapato
June 15, 2026 at 09:42 am
Right on Gil! Last year's repeated second half debacles have placed me firmly in the fire LaFleur camp! I also hope he proves me wrong!
Strat
June 15, 2026 at 02:05 pm
Now where have I heard this before...oh that's right, from everyone for quite some time.
"...or the results will likely be more of the same." Again..