Packers vs. 49ers: The story behind the renewal of a great NFL rivalry
A Coach’s Feud
On January 8, 2019, the Packers made the controversial decision to hire head coach Matt LaFleur, former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator. In 2018, under LaFleur, the Titans ranked 25th in total yards and 27th in points, according to Bleacher Report.
Despite those unimpressive numbers, the Packers hired LaFleur to replace Mike McCarthy, largely because of his relationship with 49ers superstar head coach Kyle Shanahan. LaFleur, who came into the league coaching with Shanahan and Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, and was even the best man at Shanahan’s wedding, was largely expected to maintain a close relationship with the other two star coaches.
For the most part, he has. Even after the heartbreaking 2019 NFC Championship loss to the 49ers, LaFleur remained close friends with the Niners head coach.
However, recent reports from NFL reporter Mike Silver suggest that there may be a feud between the two friends centered around the 49ers’ interest in Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers over the offseason.
2) But the Rodgers situation caused a lot of drama between LaFleur, Shanahan and their mutual friends and coaching colleagues last spring, and one story in particular--which took place on the first night of the draft--underscores that strain...
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) September 23, 2021
These reports were legitimized by a postgame handshake following the Packers’ Week 3 victory over the Niners, in which Shanahan blew past LaFleur after a very brief handshake.
Shanahan recently downplayed the feud, saying that he “was (expletive) after that game because of how the game just ended. That was a tough one. It took awhile to get over. But we’re good. I talk to Matt a lot,” per NBC Sports.
However, the demeanor of both coaches during their divisional round matchup will be very telling about the status of their relationship, and whether or not another layer has been added to one of the NFL’s best non-divisional rivalries.