Packers HC Matt LaFleur may have learned from his huge preseason mistake in 2021
The Green Bay Packers stunk up the joint at the start of the 2021 season, losing to the New Orleans Saints, 38-3, in a disappointing fashion.
The team went on to win seven straight games en route to the top seed in the NFC playoffs, which left that season-opening stinker far in the rearview mirror. It's a loss that has cropped up again now that the Packers are just a few weeks away from the 2022 season opener, though. The big question on everybody's (well, some) minds?
Will head coach Matt LaFleur actually play his starters at all this preseason?
LaFleur is famously stingy when it comes to getting his star players playing time in the preseason. He likely sees it as a huge injury risk, and the starting units are practicing between preseason games, after all. Why take the chance? That logic was all fine and dandy until the Packers showed up in Week 1 last season looking completely lost and unprepared. It was the worst loss in Aaron Rodgers' historic career, and even his MVP-level talent couldn't shake off the rust. Rodgers was pulled in the fourth quarter of the game after completing just 15 of 28 passes for 133 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions.
It makes sense, then, that LaFleur is fielding questions this preseason about his starters getting some game action. It also makes sense, with that loss in mind, that LaFleur may consider changing up his approach.
It's not likely that players such as Rodgers, Aaron Jones, Jaire Alexander and Rashan Gary will see a ton of snaps this preseason, but it would make sense for at least the starting offense to take a series or two in live preseason game action. It will be especially important because Rodgers will be getting used to an offense without his favorite target, Davante Adams, who was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders this past offseason.
Can LaFleur, Rodgers and the Packers adjust their preseason philosophy, and how much will they need to?
That will be one of the more interesting storylines to follow over the next few weeks as Green Bay looks to finally get back over the hump and actually win an NFC Championship Game.
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