Bringing back Tom Clements was great call by Packers brass

 The Green Bay Packers brought back an old friend in longtime offensive assistant Tom Clements to replace former QB coach Luke Getsy, who is now with the Chicago Bears. This was a really intriguing move by the Packers because Clements, who has coached football for 30 years, was Green Bay's QB coach and offensive coordinator for a little over a decade during the Mike McCarthy era (2006-2016). 

The 69 year-old's relationship with QB Aaron Rodgers goes way back. Rodgers said earlier this offseason that "the game is better when Tom is coaching because he's one of those special, special coaches." During Clements' run in Green Bay, Rodgers won his first two MVPs, the Packers had one of the best, most prolific offenses in the NFL and they won a Super Bowl. Through those 11 seasons, Rodgers became a multi-time MVP (2011, 2014), led the league in passer rating twice (2011, 2012), led the league in passing touchdowns (2016), earned six Pro Bowl trips, was selected to three All-Pro teams and he became a Super Bowl MVP. Think of what Doug Collins was for Michael Jordan. He helped turn him into the best player in the world. That's what Clements did for Rodgers. 

This was the right call by the Packers front office. Clements, who was recently retired, was both the most logical hire and a storybook hire. With Rodgers coming somewhat close to the end of his storied career, why not bring back the man who helped him get to superstardom? Why not bring back the guy that helped him understand football on a whole new level? Clements' relationship with Rodgers has proven that it can permeate throughout the locker room and on to the field. Green Bay, for years, had plenty of elite receiving groups led by the likes of Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams. The offensive line was and is always very tough and experienced. Even running backs like Ryan Grant, James Starks and Eddie Lacy seemed to produce in key moments. 

The return of Clements can only help this team. He will help mix in some old concepts to the playbook from his days running the West Coast offense while Mike McCarthy was in Green Bay. This will make the offense even more creative and difficult to stop. Head coach Matt LaFleur's coaching staff just got a whole lot wiser, from which the whole team will greatly benefit. Maybe Clements can give Rodgers a few pointers, too (probably not), especially because he was a seven-time CFL All-Star and two-time Grey Cup Champion.