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Matt LaFleur explains how he will get the Packers ready to face a different version of the Lions to open up the 2025 season

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Wendell Ferreira | Last updated May 19, 2025 11:38 AM ET

When the Green Bay Packers open up the regular season at home for the first time in Matt LaFleur's tenure as a head coach, it will also be a different version of an old acquaintance. It's the same Detroit Lions that created issues for the Packers over the past three years, but without two coordinators and several other assistant coaches who were a big part of the success the team had.

Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson went to the Chicago Bears, and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn left to take over the New York Jets, both as head coaches. And while facing the new version with John Morton and Kelvin Sheppard might be helpful when they are still understanding their new roles, it also brings challenges.

"You might as well throw all the tendencies out the window," LaFleur said on the 'Chris Simms Unbuttoned' show. "I'm sure each coordinator is going to have his own wrinkle. The bottom line is you just gotta be ready to adjust in-game."

This is not necessarily something new. In Week 1, teams always go through changes, even when they keep their coaching staffs intact. So far in his head coaching career, LaFleur has three wins and three losses in the regular season opener—all of them on the road.

"Just generally speaking," LaFleur explained, "going into Week 1, there's going to be unscouted looks, so you better have a plan where your players are very comfortable that, no matter what presents itself, that they're confident, that they know the rules, and can go out there and execute at a high level."

Even though it's hard to keep the same level of performance after losing both coordinators, LaFleur still respects the Lions. First, because it's a talented roster. Second, because he perceives Dan Campbell as a top head coach who can keep everything together.

"They're still one of the premier teams in the National Football League," LaFleur added. "I know they're losing two coordinators, but I've got so much respect for Dan Campbell and the job he's done. I think when you look at Detroit, they've totally taken on his personality. You're going to get a tough ass team, and they're going to try to punch you in the mouth for 60 minutes."

The Packers and Lions will open the season at Lambeau Field on Sept. 7, and then will play again at Ford Field on Thanksgiving. In a tough NFC North, these two big games can be the difference between a divisional title or the fight to get a wild card spot.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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