Youth Movement Brings Air of Excitement to Green Bay

None of us has any real idea of how the 2019 season will turn out for the Green Bay Packers.

But it's clear that the Packers are fully embracing a youth movement that will, for better or for worse, define this new era of the franchise. And the unpredictability is part of what makes it so exciting.

Much has been made of the Packers' decision to hire the young and up-and-coming Matt LaFleur who, at 39 years old, is the youngest Packers head coach since Curly Lambeau, the man who started it all.  LaFleur has been a disciple and colleague of other young, impressive offensive-minded coaches like Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay and will certainly bring all kinds of fresh looks to the Packers' offense.

On Monday, new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett (also 39) got to take the podium for the first time since joining the Packers' staff, and it was hard not to be smitten by his enthusiasm for his new position. He referred to it as an "unbelievable" opportunity, and came off as passionate, energetic and driven. When paired with the cooler, collected LaFleur, this could make for an ideal combination of personalities. While it's far too early to say how the pair's leadership style will drive production on the field, it's definitely a refreshing change of pace and energy from the previous regime.

Other prominent new additions who are younger than 40 include quarterbacks coach Luke Getsy (35),  offensive line coach Adam Stenavich (35) and outside linebackers coach Mike Smith (37), 

We have months to wait before we see what kind of product this group is able to put together on the field, but one thing's for sure; for those who have been advocating for the team to change things up and try something new, that's certainly what the team has done this year.

 

 

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Tim Backes is a lifelong Packer fan and a contributor to CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter @timbackes for his Packer takes, random musings and Untappd beer check-ins.

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4 points
 

Comments (17)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Lare's picture

February 19, 2019 at 05:43 pm

You always need to have a mix of experience and youth in management, coaching and in the locker room. This provides new ideas & openness to change from the younger members and the calming influence and experience of the veterans.

During this first year the coaches & players will be feeling their way through the changes in scheme & personnel. It'll be fun to watch it all come together on the football field as the season goes on.

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haseo's picture

February 19, 2019 at 05:48 pm

This article left me grinning. Good stuff!

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Leatherhead's picture

February 19, 2019 at 05:56 pm

It is a young man's game.

The hours you have to work to be an NFL coach are enough to discourage any sane person and I don't see how some of these older coaches do it, frankly.

I think/hope we're going to see an offense that runs more, uses the backs more in general, and throws quickly from the pocket as opposed to these scramble drills we're accustomed to.

$30 million in available cap and we could have 8 draft picks in the first 112. We've got a chance to greatly improve our roster here.

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TKWorldWide's picture

February 19, 2019 at 08:57 pm

Agree on all counts.

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Rak43's picture

February 20, 2019 at 03:47 am

And if Gute really wants to make a splash in FA he has the means to open up an additional 5 million to 31 million in cap space by making anywhere from 1 to 5 post June 1st cuts.

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CoachJV's picture

February 19, 2019 at 06:00 pm

I'm wholeheartedly excited about this year! I love the fact that we cleaned house.

It's gonna be a good year!

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4thand1's picture

February 19, 2019 at 08:06 pm

I'm screwed, I have 20+ years on all these guys. Maybe I can land a gig in the AAF lol.

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ScaryGary's picture

February 19, 2019 at 09:45 pm

do u feel the bern? MLF's packers going to the white house to meet bernie. its only a matter of time. life is beautiful

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Swisch's picture

February 19, 2019 at 10:48 pm

Come to think of it, Vince Lombardi was only 46 heading into his first season as head coach of the Packers.

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4thand1's picture

February 19, 2019 at 11:52 pm

Vince looked 46 when he was in college.

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Tundraboy's picture

February 19, 2019 at 11:16 pm

It's great to have a genuine reason to be optimistic this winter. Beats the hell out of the last few.

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PAPackerbacker's picture

February 20, 2019 at 02:51 am

No one can predict what the chemistry will be between the coaches or between the new coaches and the players. It is an exciting time in Green Bay. With good position, 6 picks in the first 112 of the draft, and a decent amount of money under the cap maybe the Packers can get the talent they need in free agency and the draft to turn things around and get back on the winning track. Here's hoping for success and the Packers to be top contenders again. Go! Pack! Go!

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Eugene Charney's picture

February 20, 2019 at 05:41 am

I think we are witnessing the subtle dismantling of the Green Bay Packers, which has always been the goal of the NFL hierarchy.

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holmesmd's picture

February 20, 2019 at 08:45 am

Huh?! What is this conspiracy theory based on?

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LeotisHarris's picture

February 20, 2019 at 10:16 pm

Preach Brother Eugene! It's about time someone had the stones to pull back the veil on this conspiracy. I hope you feel safe enough here to lay it out for those who doubt you. It started when that puppet Murphy was installed, didn't it? We all know how the Board has been compromised. And, I've seen the ariel photos of the Title Town District. It doesn't take much to see the symbolism in that configuration. Next we look at a team relocated to LA, suddenly very successful for NO reason, a team catering to liberal elites, but I'm not telling you anything you don't already know.

I'll leave it to you to carry the torch. Shine the light, Brother Eugene, shine it brightly before they use it to burn us down! The fox is in the valley. Buford ate a fat newt. The blind man will bring in the mail.

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

February 20, 2019 at 09:48 am

The main free agent I would like us RB Tevin Coleman of the Falcons. Lefleur was also the QB coach for the Falcons at the time, so I'm sure he loved the play calling out to him.

If not, then the nane of Holyfield RB from UGA I believe has been swirling around GB.

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LeotisHarris's picture

February 20, 2019 at 10:20 pm

I don't know of anyone who doesn't love the play calling out to them.

While I am a Wisconsinite, I know nothing of swirling nanes.

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