Packers: Matt LaFleur third in PFF head coach rankings for 2021

Matt LaFleur has only been a head coach for two seasons, but his work with the Green Bay Packers has been nothing short of phenomenal.

Taking over a team that had failed to reach the playoffs two straight seasons, LaFleur has taken the Packers to the doorstep of the Super Bowl the past two years. His team knows how to win, with an incredible 26-6 record in the regular season since he took over, and a 2-2 record in the playoffs.

Due to the fact LaFleur gets to work with an MVP quarterback, he often doesn’t get the respect he deserves for how he’s transformed an offense that looked stale in the final years under Mike McCarthy.

So it’s great to see LaFleur come in third in Pro Football Focus’ head coach rankings ahead of the 2021 season. PFF has Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs top and John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens second. It’s hard to have too many arguments there.

In the article, Eric Eager writes that LaFleur is the “league’s highest-rated play caller” based on PFF’s metrics while also praising his decision-making on fourth downs, with an exception being his field goal call in the NFC Championship Game.

It’s far too easy to take all the credit away from LaFleur because he has a Hall-of-Fame quarterback. But you only have to revisit the final couple of seasons under McCarthy to understand that just having Rodgers on the roster (or any superstar QB) doesn’t guarantee success.

LaFleur is an excellent play-caller, has a great offensive system, and built a strong relationship with Rodgers.

It’s not just the fact that his team has only lost eight games out of 30, twice in the NFC title game, but the fact they’ve never lost two in a row shows he can lift them from a defeat.

It’s still early in LaFleur’s career but he’s ticked all the boxes so far. Hopefully, he’ll lead the Packers to the Lombardi Trophy in his third season.