When the annual NFL Players Association report cards were released, no team took a bigger nosedive than the Green Bay Packers. In polls voted on directly by the players, the Packers fell 14 spots to No. 21 overall.
But how much does that actually matter?
Perhaps the most alarming part of the poll is that it was conducted from November 2 to December 11, meaning it was conducted before the disastrous five-game losing streak that ended the season. Might the grades have been worse if the survey had been conducted later?
Instead of burying the lede, let’s start with head coach Matt LaFleur. LaFleur received a B- from the players, down from an A- the year prior. For perspective, only six head coaches received a grade of B- or worse. Four of them were fired this offseason.
On top of that, the Arizona Cardinals fired Green Bay’s new defensive coordinator, Jonathan Gannon, and players still gave him a B+. Green Bay stuck with the status quo this offseason by dishing out an extension to LaFleur. While these polls aren’t a death sentence, they suggest that rumbles of displeasure around LaFleur were more than rumors.
Matt LaFleur received a low grade despite many players, including quarterback Jordan Love, advocating for him after the season. Of course, no player in their right mind would come out and bash their head coach. Still, the way in which many of them spoke glowingly about LaFleur made his low ranking even more eyebrow-raising.
Love was unequivocal in his support for LaFleur, who he said did “a great job.” Meanwhile, running back Josh Jacobs made his stance even clearer following the playoff loss in Chicago.
I think (LaFleur has) become a great leader since I’ve been here, and I think that you know he cares a lot about this program and the people in the building and I see him put in extra work every day and I know what he means to the players. So, I mean speaking for myself, I’m gonna stand firm on wanting him to be the head coach and wanting to figure something out with him.
That’s all well and good. However, especially in the case of the NFLPA report cards, anonymous input carries just as much weight as on-the-record statements.
Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich will be the only returning coordinator in Green Bay. He received a C. 10 offensive coordinators received a C+ grade or worse. Every single one of them was replaced in the offseason, except for Stenavich. Many fans also grew frustrated with Stenavich later in the year, especially after he made bizarre comments suggesting Matthew Golden would not have a premier role in the playoffs.
Even for Stenavich supporters, it’s a bad sign that all his colleagues who were similarly graded are gone. And that may not bode well for LaFleur’s staffing decisions.
In a bit of irony, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley received an A- grade from the players while special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia got a B+. Hafley left to take the head coaching gig in Miami, while Bisaccia surprised the Packers by leaving late in the offseason.
Outside of the staff, the grade that jumped out the most was the home field, which got a C+. Lambeau Field is often regarded as the mecca of football, and rightfully so. Still, many players noted slippery playing conditions.
It wasn’t surprising to see the locker room get an A after the Packers completely renovated last offseason. The training room grade of a C isn’t great, but Green Bay is in the process of redoing that, too.
These report cards provide a glimpse into what the players are thinking and feeling. Since 2023, the Packers have ranked ninth, third, and seventh. This year, that ranking fell to 21st. It’s such a drastic drop off that it’s impossible to dismiss.
