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The wide receiver was the weakest link on the Green Bay Packers’ offense and ultimately it was the position coach who paid the price.
According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has relieved receivers coach Alvis Whitted of his duties. LaFleur reportedly made the decision last week but only now has word begun to trickle out according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Tom Silverstein.
The Packers failed to develop a consistent number two receiver behind Davante Adams with Geronimo Allison, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard all occupying that position at some point during the season and none saw consistent success.
While there wasn’t any high draft pick talent behind Adams. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst counted on growth from within instead of signing a veteran receiver last spring. That failed development, particularly of Valdes-Scantling, hindered Green Bay’s passing attack all season and forced LaFleur to ultimately hold Whitted accountable.
There is no word as of yet on who LaFleur will pick to replace Whitte but given the scope of the failure at that position, combined with Gutekunst already stating he’d be adding a decent amount of outside talent, it’s a decent bet the head coach will look outside the organization.
As for Whitted, LaFleur brought him to Green Bay after he served in the same position at Colorado State from 2012 through 2018. The Packers job was the first time Whitted had coached in the NFL since he retired as a player with the Oakland Raiders in 2006.