It seems like Matt LaFleur’s coaching position with the Packers might be feeling a bit hot after their recent performance.
The team’s disappointing loss at home to the Falcons—an uncompetitive 35-14 defeat to a team that was previously winless—has sparked concerns not just about their play but also about LaFleur’s job security, especially in light of last season’s playoff collapse.
Green Bay, known for its competitive spirit, is, well, just one bad play away from an even worse record. Their current 1-2 start is the worst LaFleur has faced in his eight seasons as head coach.
A significant amount of the blame has shifted to the underperforming offensive line.
“I think we’ve got to keep working with these guys to figure out what we do well,” LaFleur mentioned when discussing the offensive line. “Because honestly, right now I don’t know what we’re doing well offensively.”
While LaFleur has had considerable success in the regular season, boasting a 77-42-1 record, frustration is mounting among fans due to repeated failures in the postseason.
The Packers entered the playoffs as the No. 7 seed for three straight years, and last year’s loss to the Bears—a bitter rival—was particularly painful. They squandered a seemingly secure 18-point halftime lead and allowed a comeback that ended in a 31-27 defeat.
The front office seemingly still believes in LaFleur, as evidenced by a multiyear contract extension, yet this season could be his toughest challenge yet, even more so than the 8-9 finish during Aaron Rodgers’ last year.
The 2026 season kicked off with an all-too-familiar storyline, as they blew a 12-point lead to the Vikings, letting backup quarterback Carson Wentz lead a charge that ended in a 39-22 loss. They barely salvaged a victory in Week 2 with some help from questionable decisions by the Jets.
All eyes were on their home opener against the struggling Falcons, a team that had also been crushed the week before. Starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was making his return from an ACL injury, which added an interesting dynamic to the matchup.
However, the night turned sour as boos echoed in Lambeau Field, with the Packers failing to establish any rhythm on offense. The defense struggled as well, particularly against running back Bijan Robinson and receiver Drake London.
The Packers’ offensive line allowed 15 pressures against a subpar Falcons pass rush, which was frustrating considering they had already allowed 17 in their first game, according to ESPN.
Adding to their troubles, standout right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele suffered an ACL injury earlier in the week, exacerbating an already shaky unit.
Quarterback Jordan Love struggled to find his footing behind the makeshift line, throwing for 28 completions on 53 attempts, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
LaFleur deflected questions about potential changes to the coaching staff after the game.
“It was a butt whooping,” he commented on the defeat.
The Packers also have a significant issue with their rushing game, accumulating just 146 yards across three games, the lowest average in the league.
With starter Josh Jacobs sidelined due to legal issues, LaFleur emphasized the importance of a strong rushing attack to maintain offensive rhythm, saying, “Anytime you drop back 50-some times in a game and you have nine rushes, it’s usually not going to bode well for you.”
On the defensive side, the Packers initially showed promise this season, but the performance against Atlanta was a step back, especially against Robinson and Penix.
Robinson racked up 213 total yards (194 on the ground) and scored two touchdowns, while London made nine receptions for 194 yards. Penix rebounded from an early interception to complete 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown.
Now, Green Bay has a 10-day period to prepare for a crucial road game against a disappointing Buccaneers team, which could be a make-or-break situation for both squads.
“We’ve got a couple extra days, and everybody’s got to take a long, hard look at themselves,” LaFleur noted. “We have to find solutions and come back ready for work. It certainly was a tough night.”
