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For much of this season, the Green Bay Packers’ defense seemed to be less than the sum of its parts. There is talent up and down the roster — led by stars like Jaire Alexander, Kenny Clark, and Za’Darius Smith — but maddening situational and schematic decisions have plagued the unit in certain instances.
That’s where defensive coordinator Mike Pettine comes in, and why his job is assumed to be in question. Yes, his unit played better in the second half of the season, but another mind-boggling decision late in the first half of the NFC Championship Game rightfully has Packers fans frustrated.
In all likelihood, Wednesday will be the day when a decision is finalized on Pettine’s future with the team. According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, he and the Packers’ other coordinators will meet with head coach Matt LaFleur today for their closeout meetings, with the results and discussions from those meetings playing into decisions on how to move forward.
Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers speaks again in a more comfortable setting and with some time to process the season’s sudden end, giving some additional context to his comments after Sunday’s loss that set the NFL media and Twitter ablaze. Check out that and more in today’s curds below.
Packers face questions on futures of Aaron Jones, Mike Pettine and more - ESPN
After player meetings and position coach meetings took place earlier this week, Wednesday is probably the decision day on Mike Pettine and Shawn Mennenga, as Matt LaFleur is reportedly meeting with all of his coordinators today.
Packers defense struggled on third down | Packer Report
The Packers ranked 10th in third down conversion rate allowed during the 2020 regular season, but gave up just 16 first downs on 88 chances (18%) in third-and-7 or longer. On Sunday alone, they allowed five such conversions on eight attempts.
What You Might’ve Missed: Alexander’s excellence | Packers.com
It would have been difficult to miss Alexander's exemplary play, given his two interceptions on Sunday, but he provided much more than just those two splash plays. He is a true franchise cornerstone.
Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers said he expects to be back | Packersnews.com
Why do so many people assume that every Rodgers comment is a veiled shot or message to someone within the Packers organization? He means what he says, yes, but sometimes that meaning doesn't go any deeper than the words themselves. In his final appearance of the year on the Pat McAfee Show, he expanded on his comments after Sunday's game and reflected at greater length on his future.
Aaron Jones' Packers career may have come to a cruel end – The Athletic (subscription)
Allen Lazard texted Jones to check on him on Sunday night. Jones' response was to apologize to his teammate for his fumble, which came on his final play of Sunday's game. If that's the way Jones goes out in Green Bay, it will be an unfortunate final memory after a great four years.
Bills fan spreads her late father's ashes at Arrowhead | WKBW Buffalo
There has to be a better place in Arrowhead Stadium to spread a Chiefs fan's ashes than the floor in the stands, right?