Matt LaFleur's Eric Stokes comments prove Packers have learned nothing

It's not the first time Matt LaFleur has been slow to make the move Green Bay Packers fans have pounded the table for.

LaFleur stuck with defensive coordinator Joe Barry way after it had become painfully obvious the Packers needed a change. Green Bay's defense has improved in almost every metric since hiring Jeff Hafley to replace Barry. LaFleur sometimes shows loyalty to the point that it's hurting the team.

We saw it earlier this season when the Packers kept Edgerrin Cooper off the field despite him outplaying the other linebackers, and we're seeing it again with Eric Stokes.

Teams have targeted Stokes this season, and the former first-rounder hasn't broken up or intercepted a pass since his rookie year. He faces an uncertain future in Green Bay, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.

After Stokes gave up another touchdown last week against the Detroit Lions, Packers fans have understandably called for second-year Carrington Valentine to replace him in the lineup. However, the Packers continue to bizarrely split their snaps, and we shouldn't expect that to change anytime soon. Last week, they each played 42 snaps and rotated at the spot opposite Keisean Nixon.

Matt LaFleur confirms Packers will continue bizarre plan for Eric Stokes

LaFleur spoke to reporters on Thursday and was asked about the decision to rotate playing time between Stokes and Valentine.

"You guys know how I feel about that. It's all about competition, playing the best guys. You can never go wrong when it's a true battle," said LaFleur. "It'll stay that way, and we're going to continue to try to get the most out of everybody here."

It's nothing new for LaFleur. Last season, he rotated snaps at right guard between Jon Runyan Jr. and Sean Rhyan. He did the same this year with Rhyan and first-round pick Jordan Morgan.

The difference? Stokes hasn't given them a good reason to keep playing him. According to Pro Football Focus, the former first-rounder has allowed a passer rating of 108.8 in his coverage. In 2023, it was 152.9. The year before, it was 125.8. He hasn't played well since his rookie season, and it's time to move on.

Green Bay could get Jaire Alexander back for their Sunday Night Football showdown with the Seattle Seahawks, but this likely won't impact the Stokes-Valentine snap share. Nixon has become the preferred starter opposite Alexander, but he may need to return to the slot, as Javon Bullard is unlikely to play this week.

Ahead of a daunting matchup against the receiving trio of Jaxon Smith-Njigba, DK Metcalf, and Tyler Lockett, we can expect to see plenty of Stokes again.

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