Packers HC Puts Team on Blast as Last Seasons Issues Continue to Haunt Green Bay

Matt LaFleur had much to say as the Green Bay Packers lost by 20 points in their preseason opener. Lambeau Field left unsatisfied as some of the Packers 2024 issues continued to haunt the team.

Jordan Love played two series, as did some of the other starters. Quite a few key names were out, with Jayden Reed’s injury turning heads as well. Regardless, it’s a loss that LaFleur would rather happen now than in the regular season.

Matt LaFleur Doesn’t Sugarcoat Things as Packers Continue to Make the Same Mistakes
Many expect this Packers team to do some damage this year. The NFC North remains competitive, but there are a ton of question marks in the division. Green Bay remains the most in-tact team compared to last season.

Having made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, there’s no reason to believe Matt LaFleur can’t lead his team there again. One preseason loss doesn’t dictate the direction of this team, even though they continue to make the same mistakes.

“Well that was a humbling experience,” LaFleur said. “Definitely not what we want to put out there. I don’t care preseason, regular season, it doesn’t matter to me. It was just sloppy football.”

The New York Jets came to town and made a statement, defeating the Packers, 30-10. Justin Fields exposed the Packers starting defense as other critical mistakes were made.

“Too many penalties, drops, missed tackles, bad decision-making, and it really showed up in every phase of football. And if you do that, you’re going to get your ass kicked, and that’s exactly what happened,” LaFleur added.

With all of those mistakes on full display, it didn’t make watching this team any easier. Four Packers quarterbacks combined for only 84 yards. New York’s backup QB, Adrian Martinez, threw for 152 yards himself.

Drops and Special Teams Continue to Hold Back the Packers

Drops were the story of Love’s 2024 season. His numbers were down compared to 2023 for numerous reasons, but his wide receivers did him no favors. He was put in the same situation on August 9 as the team dropped two of his five passes.

Romeo Doubs and Malik Heath did themselves no favors. In Doubs defense, Sauce Gardner played lock-down defense against him. To play devils advocate, rookie Matthew Golden was able to draw a penalty against Gardner.

Golden was the lone bright spot for Love as he hauled in his first reception as a Packer. No. 22 impressed in his limited reps, a much needed sign as Reed was seen in a walking boot.

Elsewhere, Mecole Hardman may have sealed his fate. The 2019 2nd round pick muffed a punt, resulting in a key fumble in the Jets red zone. He was targeted once on offense, but didn’t record a single reception. Knowing how much the Packers have struggled with special teams in the past, this was a key mistake.