:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68733617/1190033729.jpg.0.jpg)
As the 2020 season progressed, calls for the jobs of two of the Green Bay Packers’ three coordinators increased.
Four days into the offseason, head coach Matt LaFleur has heeded the calls for at least one of them.
While there has been no official announcement from the team as of this morning, multiple reports say the Packers have fired special teams coordinator Shawn Mennenga after another season of long returns given up and short retuns being produced.
That Mennenga was let go isn’t a surprise but the big name everyone is waiting to hear on is defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. LaFleur kept Pettine on in 2019, giving at least one side of the ball some continuity while LaFleur saw to the makeover on offense.
Pettine opted not to sign an extension before this season, arguably betting on himself and his staff to earn more money after what they hoped was a better defense in 2020.
It would appear that gamble backfired as the defense regressed in many categories and struggled with inconsistencies all year. The last second touchdown at the end of the first half in Sunday’s NFC Championship game showed a shocking lack of competence and LaFleur’s reaction to that did not instill confidence Pettine will be back but nothing has been decided.
With a now-expired contract, the Packers and Pettine could simply agree to “mutually part ways” and Pettine would save face from truly being fired.
We should however have an idea of his fate however in the next couple of days, so keep it here at APC for the latest.
Now on to today’s curds.
Source: Green Bay Packers fire special-teams coordinator Shawn Mennenga—ESPN
Mennenga took over the worst special teams unit in the league last year and brought them from 32nd to 26th. They finished this season 29th. It was one step forward and two steps back and LaFleur decided that was enough to warrant his first big firing as a head coach.
Corey Linsley cherished every part of Packers’ 2020 run—Packers.com
If you read between the lines, it would appear a very reflective Corey Linsley thinks his time in Green Bay will be coming to an end. With a possible shrinking cap and many difficult free agency decisions ahead for the Packers, there very well may be a new center snapping the ball to Aaron Rodgers next season.
Still dealing with heartbreak and lingering sadness from Sunday’s loss? That’s actually ok and some coping skills may legitimately be needed to get your head back in the game of normal life.
Bad news, lovers of chaos: Packers, Aaron Rodgers belong together—NFL.com
You know the hysteria surrounding Rodgers’ future in Green Bay has reached insane levels when it’s a BEARS FAN that is making the most sense.
C is for CHA-CHING and that’s good enough for me. Sesame Street itself could not have produced a more perfect look.