Matt LaFleur sends blunt message to Packers running backs after glaring mistakes nearly cost Green Bay against the Buccaneers
The Packers held on for a 17-14 win over Tampa Bay, and two running back fumbles left the head coach visibly irritated after the game.
The Green Bay Packers entered Week 4 ranked last in the NFL in rush EPA, and the problems on the ground continued against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Green Bay escaped with a 17-14 win, but the running back position remains a major concern while Josh Jacobs is still unavailable.
The offensive line isn’t the only group to blame for the lack of rushing production. The Packers ranked 19th in run block win rate over the first three games of the season, according to ESPN. That’s slightly below average, but it isn’t a disaster. The real issue for the line has been pass protection.
The running backs, on the other hand, have been the big problem for Green Bay in that area. And that showed up again on Sunday.
Underwhelming day for the RB1
MarShawn Lloyd is technically the Packers’ top running back while Jacobs is out, and he was ineffective once again. Lloyd had seven carries for 13 yards, an average of 1.9 yards per carry.
Lloyd was more productive in the passing game, with five receptions for 36 yards. However, he also fumbled. Luckily for Lloyd and the Packers, the ball went out of bounds and the Buccaneers didn’t recover it. Nonetheless, it was a very underwhelming performance from the player Green Bay is relying on to lead the backfield.
The other two running backs had better days. Chris Brooks finished with four carries for 30 yards, good for 7.5 yards per carry, mostly because he broke a 27-yard run. Kaleb Johnson also had one big gain of 31 yards and ended the game with eight carries for 42 yards, an average of 5.2 yards per carry.
But Johnson also fumbled close to the end zone. The Bucs recovered, and the turnover put the game in danger. Green Bay’s defense held up and kept the Packers ahead on the scoreboard, but the mistake could easily have flipped the result.
LaFleur’s clear message
After the game, head coach Matt LaFleur was obviously irritated with the fumbles and with how the running back position is performing. He sent a clear message to the group, especially regarding ball security.
“Well, I think a great teacher is the bench,” LaFleur said. “So if guys don’t start holding on to the ball, they’re going to be sitting on the bench.”
That sure sounds like a coach running out of patience. When the backs aren’t generating positive plays consistently, turnovers become even harder to tolerate. And with three running backs splitting carries, LaFleur has options to shift the workload if the fumbles continue. Pierre Strong Jr., for example, is on the practice squad.
Still waiting on Josh Jacobs
The Packers are dealing with a complicated situation. They have a solid starting running back in Jacobs, but he remains on the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List.
Jacobs has now missed four games, and the NFL hasn’t announced a definitive suspension. If he is suspended at some point, those four games will count toward it. However, being on the exempt list doesn’t mean a suspension is imminent. While he is there, Jacobs still receives his salary but can’t practice or play.
Green Bay enters Week 5 still without its starting running back. It has been a rough watch, with the backs struggling to create consistent production and now adding fumble issues on top of it.
