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Packers built to withstand inevitable brain drain from coaching staff

Packers built to withstand inevitable brain drain from coaching staff

At some point, the NFL will pilfer the Packers' coaching staff. Head coach Matt LaFleur has prepared for when that time comes.

Jason B. Hirschhorn's avatar
Jason B. Hirschhorn
Jan 29, 2025
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Packers built to withstand inevitable brain drain from coaching staff
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In the NFL, building a winning program involves overcoming myriad challenges. Yet, sustaining that success can prove even more difficult as other franchises will inevitably attempt to hire away coaches from winning teams in the hopes of replicating their achievements. The resulting staff erosion can cripple any club, even Super Bowl champions.

Since hiring Matt LaFleur as head coach in 2019, the Green Bay Packers have won 67% of their regular-season games, qualified for the playoffs five times in six seasons, and reached multiple NFC Championship Games. Typically, that level of success would result in other teams pillaging the coaching staff on a near-annual basis.

However, the Packers have mostly avoided brain drain. In fact, outside of offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and passing-game coordinator Luke Getsy leaving Green Bay for bigger jobs in 2022 and quarterbacks coach Tom Clements retiring earlier this month, the coaching staff hasn't endured involuntary attrition in any senior role during LaFleur's tenure.

While a fortunate break for the Packers, it won't last forever. Other franchises have already begun sniffing around their staff to fill head-coaching vacancies and coordinator roles. At some point in the future, Green Bay's top assistants will leave for better opportunities, leaving LaFleur with the unenviable task of replacing them.

When the time arrives, the Packers' staff offers enough quality and depth to withstand the losses.

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