Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was likely not planning to be done by now.
His team entered the postseason as the top seed in the NFC and yet failed to even reach the NFC Championship Game.
He now has to ponder what a future could look like without Aaron Rodgers as the organization prepares for potential changes on a monumental level.
In the meantime, LaFleur spoke with the media Monday and discussed a variety of topics.
That included a focus on the special teams blunders that doomed his team Saturday night.
Matt LaFleur says Steven Wirtel shouldn't have been left on an island blocking Jordan Willis on the blocked punt: "There was a lot that went wrong on that play. It's never one individual's fault. We had a body on a body, but he should've gotten help in that situation there."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) January 24, 2022
Fans and analysts alike are reacting to what the head coach has to say in his final press conference before he heads into the offseason.
LaFleur wouldn't criticize Aaron Rodgers after the QB had a lousy night: "From what I saw, I mean, he was under an intense amount of pressure and that’s hard to play that position when you’ve got pressure in your lap the whole game."
— Rob Reischel (@robreischel) January 24, 2022
NFL World Reacts To The LaFleur Press Conference
The head coach has a lot to answer for, especially with the special teams.
He also has to convince Rodgers that there is no plan to enter a rebuilding stage.
Matt LaFleur said “there is no plan for a rebuild” and that the entire front office is on the same page in wanting Aaron Rodgers back.
Your move, 12.
— Stephen Watson (@WISN_Watson) January 24, 2022
He went on to say it’s no one’s fault but a lot of these LaFleur answers about Bakh have extremely bad vibes. (Is he looking at the PR person?) pic.twitter.com/oPB1pQQDJi
— Justis Mosqueda (Tank 2022 Thought Leader) (@JuMosq) January 24, 2022
I honestly adore Matt LaFleur. Probably my favorite hire ever as a sports fan. Dude just says and does all the right things I know he’s made questionable decisions but we’ve been spoiled as fans. #gopackgo
— Jay Russ (@Jay_Russs) January 24, 2022
The head coach has had amazing success in the regular season since taking the job.
That includes three 13-win seasons and two trips to the NFC Championship Game.
But continuing to fall short of the Super Bowl will put him in a weird spot where the regular season success may not be enough to have a long tenure.
Matt LaFleur keeps taking blame and noting that the team didn't really play well on offense, but the fact that he keeps bringing up the special teams play shows that he knows what actually lost them the game lol https://t.co/03AsYgYIlr
— Anthony Nash (@_anthonynash) January 24, 2022
Matt LaFleur has mentioned several times now looking into putting more starters on special teams.
Acknowledges the risk, like losing AJ Dillion Saturday night, but says he wants to research the risk-reward to "find every advantage we can."
— Kassidy Hill (@KassidyGHill) January 24, 2022
“No Plan for a Rebuild”
– Matt Lafleur
with that cap space…. 😩😩 pic.twitter.com/FIvyurIoHk
— RELAX🧀 (@b0dySLamia) January 24, 2022
LaFleur has always been very professional and is never going to say anything controversial.
So hearing him rehash the same points about Rodgers and the special teams mistakes won’t change much for Packers fans.
All anyone wants to know is what Rodgers will decide this offseason.
Im not believing a word LaFleur says from this presser about the future of this team.
— Sam (@Sam__CT) January 24, 2022
Will he stick around?
Can the Packers actually avoid a rebuild given their salary cap situation?
Fans are in for a long and dramatic offseason that is starting much earlier than expected.
NEXT: Is Aaron Rodgers Done With The Packers?