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This is what Matt LaFleur will do to make him to win COTY 

 

 

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in overtime in the Super Bowl, capping off the 2023 Season

 

Before we move on to the 2024 season, I have one final complaint about the Green and Gold from 2023. What will it take to make Matt LaFleur a Coach of the Year contender?

 

The prestigious award was won by Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski (or rather, Steven Stefanski) just days before the Super Bowl. The

Houston Texans’ first-year head coach, DeMeco Ryans, was right behind him. Both men had valid claims for the award, so I’m not just being a homer.

 

But LaFleur led the youngest offense and a first-time starting quarterback to the playoffs, only to receive two third-place votes.

LaFleur has been snubbed before. Despite leading the Packers on multiple

deep playoff runs, helming historically good offenses, and elevating a young team far beyond expectations, LaFleur

continues to receive only a small number of votes. What’s keeping LaFleur from receiving more attention, and what would it take for her to finally win the award?

Stefanski has won the award twice since LaFleur took over as head coach, and it’s understandable why. Stefanski led the

Browns to the playoffs in 2020, despite their lack of success since returning to the league in 1999. They even won one

game. Yes, it’s a regular-season award, as it should be, but it’s difficult to argue against Cleveland’s overall performance.

However, LaFleur enjoyed a remarkable year in 2020, guiding the Packers to a stellar 13-3 regular-season record and securing the NFC’s top seed. During this period, Green Bay experienced a historically exceptional season, with Aaron Rodgers delivering some of his finest performances on the field. The team showcased a formidable red-zone offense, dubbing it the “gold zone.”

 

Despite these achievements, LaFleur finished fifth in the coach of the year rankings that year, trailing Stefanski, Sean McDermott, Brian Flores, and Ron Rivera. Many pundits attributed the Packers’ success in 2020 more to Rodgers’ exceptional play rather than LaFleur’s coaching efforts. The presence of a future Hall of Famer, performing at the peak of his abilities, overshadowed the coach’s contributions.

 

LaFleur had also received votes in previous years. In 2019, he led his new team to the NFC Championship after Mike McCarthy’s playoff absence in 2018. He received votes again in 2021, assisting Rodgers in earning an MVP award, while the Packers secured a first-place finish in the NFC with a 13-3 record. However, he was unable to surpass his competition for the award.

 

The 2022 season proved to be a disappointing one for the Packers, so it wasn’t surprising that LaFleur didn’t win the award that year.

However, the significance of the 2023 season lies in LaFleur’s ability to lead the team without Rodgers. He demonstrated that Green Bay’s success during his

tenure as head coach wasn’t solely reliant on Rodgers’ talent. Although the season began on a rough note, LaFleur guided a young offense that could

compete with any team, including delivering the highest point total scored against the eventual Super Bowl champions. While Green Bay’s 9-8

regular-season record may not seem impressive, we shouldn’t overlook the team’s turnaround and offensive  prowess during that stretch.

There are numerous talented coaches in the league, and each year brings new emerging talents, making it challenging to stand out.

LaFleur experienced at least two seasons where he was overlooked for the award, indicating a need to replicate the success

of his standout 2020 season, this time with Jordan Love at the helm. Achieving such success would likely require a

revolutionary offensive product akin to the 2020 offense, led by a quarterback whose contributions overshadow LaFleur’s coaching.

The hope is that Green Bay’s offense can take that next significant step forward, with Jeff Hafley’s revamped defense playing a pivotal role in elevating the team’s performance. Having an effective

defensive coordinator chosen by LaFleur could greatly bolster his case for recognition. While the Packers prioritize winning the Lombardi Trophy above

individual awards, LaFleur’s humility and commitment to team success have been instrumental in Green Bay’s

historical achievements. However, it would be satisfying to see him receive more personal recognition for his contributions.

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