Matt LaFleur clarifies Ted Thompson’s role in Packers drafting Jordan Love
It seems like Netflix’s edition of "Enigma," Aaron Rodgers documentary series, didn't reflect what Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur wanted to say about the process to draft Jordan Love. I haven't seen that. Wahler (Jason Wahlers, Packers Vice President of Communications) mentioned that to me. I don't remember saying that, but apparently I […]
It seems like Netflix’s edition of "Enigma," Aaron Rodgers documentary series, didn't reflect what Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur wanted to say about the process to draft Jordan Love.
I haven't seen that. Wahler (Jason Wahlers, Packers Vice President of Communications) mentioned that to me. I don't remember saying that, but apparently I did," LaFleur said on his Thursday's presser. "I don't know if they cut it up, I think what we were trying to do was draw parallels to Ted drafting Aaron and to Gutey drafting Jordan. But I don't know how it got edited and whatnot. But Ted Thompson had nothing to do with the drafting of Jordan Love."
On ESPN Milwaukee, the Wilde and Tausch Show clarified what reportedly happened. Matt LaFleur would have said that Ted Thompson made a tough decision to draft Aaron Rodgers back in 2005, and Brian Gutekunst had a similar approach to the situation 15 years later. But Netflix would have edited and mixed both answers, making it look like Ted Thompson had a role in the decision to draft Love.
At that point, Ted Thompson had already been diagnosed with autonomic disorder for over a year. He would eventually pass away less than one year after the 2020 draft.
"I think there were lessons learned from him doing what he did when he drafted Aaron," LaFleur added. "And I think we see that across the league. You better have a quarterback. Otherwise, life can be very, very difficult. Gutey obviously made a great decision, and one that does take courage. In the moment, you're gonna get a lot of flak for it. And it was the case however many years ago when Aaron was drafted, and it was the case five years ago now when Jordan was drafted. By no means I was trying to reference Ted was the reason why we drafted Jordan."
Be that as it may, the Packers followed their traditional way and selected the highest player on their board. It ended up being an inspired decision, and now Love certainly raises the team's ceiling much more than Aaron Rodgers would at 41 years old.
Matt LaFleur makes mind-boggling revelation about the Packers’ decision to draft Jordan Love during Aaron Rodgers’ documentary on Netflix
LaFleur shared that Ted Thompson was a big part of the process
