Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur made several notable comments while meeting with reporters this week, but one in particular caught John Kuhn's attention.
LaFleur noted that some players were "upset about roles last year" and even admitted that it "took a toll on our football team."
He never specified who, but the fact that it even happened raised alarms for Kuhn, the former Packers Pro Bowl fullback. Speaking on The Tundra podcast, Kuhn noted that LaFleur's comments are a "big old red flag."
"I'm shocked. I'm actually shocked by this, that the players being upset with their roles could be what really led to the team's demise," said Kuhn. "There was a feeling around Green Bay that the locker was finally in its zen state. That everybody was bought in, and that it was player driven. You had leaders in Rashan Gary, Micah Parsons, Xavier McKinney. Leaders on the offensive side in Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs and Christian Watson."
"When you think it's good, that's when things start to rear their ugly head. Matt LaFleur, that's a big old red flag to me knowing that players weren't bought into what their roles were on the team last year."
John Kuhn says the quiet part out loud about Matt LaFleur's striking comments
Kuhn isn't wrong, and it raises questions about the Packers' work this offseason.
Did those unhappy players depart? Green Bay lost multiple veteran starters. That included trading Rashan Gary and releasing Elgton Jenkins, though their looming cap hits likely played a role in those decisions.
The Packers traded Colby Wooden, who has since said he was playing out of position last season. Then there is Romeo Doubs, who previously received a one-game suspension "for conduct detrimental to the team."
Another question is what the players were "upset" about. A lack of playing time? Their specific role in the scheme? If it's the former, the mass exodus in free agency will free up snaps for many players on the roster. If it's the latter, a change in defensive coordinators may naturally address that, on that side of the ball, at least.
It's unclear which players LaFleur was referring to and, crucially, whether they remain on the roster. But it could also explain why Gutekunst opted to add experience in free agency.
The Packers have boasted the league's youngest roster for three straight years, with many raising questions about a lack of experience and leadership. Zaire Franklin, a former Pro Bowler who is entering his ninth NFL season, helps change that. So, too, does two-time Pro Bowler Javon Hargrave, who is 33 and entering Year 11 in the league.
Who was LaFleur talking about? That's unclear. But Kuhn is right. The fact that it became so big a problem that it "took a toll" on the team is a concern, or as Kuhn put it, a "big old red flag."
And it's one they must fix this offseason.