While the NFL has coaches who are already in the hot seat coming into 2022, there might be one coach there who no one suspects.
The Green Bay Packers might get rid of Matt LaFleur if he doesn’t get the team to the playoffs.
But why would the team do such a thing, after he’s been a part of getting the Packers back on track to playoff appearances?
While the average Packers fan might not see this happening, they should look back at history for a preview of their future.
Packers Aren’t Afraid To Fire Playoff Coaches
If Packers fans look back at Mike McCarthy, they will see a coach the Packers canned before the 2018 season ended.
On his mid-season firing by the @packers, Mike McCarthy said “it couldn’t have been handled any worse.” The man he said that to, @RobDemovsky explains why on Wisconsin’s Afternoon News w/ @JohnMercure and @gmatzek. pic.twitter.com/hjENzCtc0q
— 620wtmj (@620wtmj) April 3, 2019
While he was expecting the Packers to move on from him, he wasn’t expecting that to happen mid-season.
However, the Packers had enough of the coach, who previously got Green Bay to the Super Bowl in 2010.
His 13-year career as a coach, and nine playoff appearance, made no difference to Green Bay,
They tossed him aside based on an Aaron Rodgers-less losing season and a poor start to the 2018 season.
If they were willing to get rid of him after all he had done for them, LaFleur might suffer the same fate.
However, that fate might not come until the 2023 season if he misses the playoffs in 2022.
But how could the Packers miss the playoffs when they have Rodgers?
Packers Lost Too Many Key Players In 2022, Which Could Hurt Their Playoff Chances
The list of players that left Green Bay could spell trouble for the team.
Everything is reading like the McCarthy situation all over again.
Rodgers is without his best offensive linemen and receiver for this season.
The Packers defense also suffered some losses, which might be the biggest blow for the team.
However, the Packers and their fanbase are high on the players the team got during the 2022 NFL Draft.
But can those rookie players make the impact needed for the 2022 season?
Probably not, as it isn’t easy to play in the NFC North on defense.
Also, the receivers Green Bay got in the draft have to work with Rodgers, who’s picky with receivers.
Yup. Low key best odds to go undefeated, although I lean more Bucs than Rams there because Rodgers is very picky with the receivers he likes. No guarantees with a rookie
— UK Wincinnati Fan (@bengal90) March 22, 2022
With Davante Adams gone, he’s without his biggest weapon on offense.
For him to trust rookie receivers is a hard ask for the four-time MVP quarterback.
He doesn’t give players his trust automatically, meaning this season could be a learning curve in Green Bay.
LaFleur Can’t Afford To Miss The Playoffs This Season
With the NFC North not having much competition, LaFleur has no excuse to miss the playoffs.
The only real threat to them are the Minnesota Vikings.
Neither the Detroit Lions or the Chicago Bears pose a threat to the NFC North title.
However, they can play spoiler to Green Bay’s playoff hopes.
If both teams get a win against Green Bay, it might open the door for Minnesota to steal the NFC North.
That would instantly put LaFleur in the hot seat, as people still see the Packers as Super Bowl favorites in 2022.
