Packers: Preseason reps also important for Matt LaFleur

Preseason can be important for the players, but it’s also helped Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.

Much has been discussed about whether the Packers should play their starters in preseason. And if so, for how long and in how many games.

But something that can be overlooked is the importance of this preseason for head coach Matt LaFleur. While he has game experience on the sidelines in the NFL, this is a new role for him, and it’s in preseason that he’s been able to experience all of the gameday duties that come with being a head coach.

Aaron Rodgers may not need preseason reps, but LaFleur has benefited from the preseason.

“It’s been great, just having to be in charge of the game management piece, but still you’re calling plays, and you’re still trying to think ahead,” LaFleur said last week. “That’s why I wanted that game to take place, because every opportunity I have to go out there and go through that process is good for myself and for our staff.”

But while LaFleur continues to recover from a torn Achilles he suffered in the offseason, he’s still having to get used to a few things.

“Still working through the timeout process a little bit, because I can’t just take off and run and call timeouts in certain situations.”

Of course, being unable to run down the sidelines to call a sideline due to an injury probably wasn’t something LaFleur expected to happen when he was hired in January. But by being able to get some “reps” in the preseason, he’s been able to identify areas the coaching staff need to improve to ensure everything works smoothly on the day of a game.

It’s better to waste time in the preseason due to not being able to call a timeout quickly enough than it happening in the regular season.

Preseason reps are important for young players and players on the roster bubble, not so much for the starters. But this year, the preseason has been just as beneficial to the new head coach.