Packers HC Matt LaFleur confirms suspicion about recent coaching hire
The Packers ultimately have the upper hand when it comes to Aaron Rodgers' future, but that doesn't mean they're going to ignore what he wants. They made this clear last year when they traded for Randall Cobb after Rodgers said he wanted Cobb back in Green Bay. The two parties are working on rebuilding their […]
The Packers ultimately have the upper hand when it comes to Aaron Rodgers' future, but that doesn't mean they're going to ignore what he wants.
They made this clear last year when they traded for Randall Cobb after Rodgers said he wanted Cobb back in Green Bay. The two parties are working on rebuilding their relationship, so naturally, there's going to be some give-and-take from both sides.
Therefore, it's easy to see why some eyebrows were raised when the Packers hired quarterbacks coach Tom Clements a few weeks ago. Clements has been coaching in the NFL for a very long time. But there's one past stop that sticks out like a sore thumb on his resumé.
Clements just so happened to be the Packers quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator, and associate head coach over a 10-year span.
The significant part about that? It's all about the timing. He was quarterbacks coach from 2006-2011, offensive coordinator from 2012-2014, and associate head coach from 2015-2016.
Well, as it turns out, Rodgers and the Packers won a Super Bowl in 2010. Two of his four MVPs came during that span, as well. He threw for 40+ touchdowns twice (including a then-career-high 45 in 2011) and set career-highs in passing yardage, quarterback rating, ANY/A and QBR, as well.
In other words: Rodgers had some of the best seasons of his career when Clements was involved.
Many logically assumed that Rodgers' desire for Clements to return to the organization was the catalyst behind the hire. As it turns out, they were right.
Matt LaFleur confirmed as much when he spoke with the media on Wednesday at the NFL Combine. Per Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, LaFleur said Rodgers did in fact play a big part in the hiring of Clements. Rodgers' "glowing praise of Clements over time" convinced LaFleur to interview Clements before Super Bowl LVI.
Rodgers' fingerprints continue to show up on the Packers' blueprints and with good reason. He's one of two players in NFL history to win at least four MVPs and he's just the fifth player to do it in back-to-back seasons. Peyton Manning was the last to do it, winning the NFL's Most Valuable Player award in 2008 and 2009.
But now, Rodgers -and the Packers- need those fingerprints to be on the next Lombardi. And the hope is that Clements can help them get there.
Featured image via-Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
