:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69065849/usa_today_15164305.0.jpg)
Matt LaFleur has been wildly successful in multiple areas since becoming the Green Bay Packers head coach in January 2019.
One area he has greatly improved in over that of his predecessor is in terms of overall team health. Under Mike McCarthy, more often than not the Packers were one of the most beat up teams in the league and while that often didn’t slow them down (see the Super Bowl-winning season of 2010), it did take a toll at the end of his tenure.
LaFleur meanwhile has been very good, and perhaps very fortunate, at keeping the amount of damage injuries have done to the team to a lower level.
That skill and/or luck will be tested in 2021 as the NFL confirmed it is adding a 17th regular season game to the schedule beginning this year.
It might look like “only” one more game, but that one extra contest will take a considerable toll on players’ bodies given the natural high contact nature of the sport.
This means LaFleur will be tested managing the workload of his players in both practices and games. It will test the strength and conditioning staff to change their program to get one more violent game out of players that are already pushed to the max.
Oh and this doesn’t even take the COVID-19 situation into play. While vaccinations should be very widespread by fall, there’s still a decent chance it could impact the season again.
The addition of a 17th game is obviously a money grab with little regard to player health but teams will do what they need to in order to keep their guys fresh.
Are the Packers up to the challenge? They had better be.
The Packers really kind of got screwed with the addition of Kansas City as their 17th game. Now the Packers will face 10 playoff teams from 2020 on this year’s schedule. LaFleur has earned the benefit of the doubt after two stellar years, but this year will test the coach like nothing before.
Draft Digest: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan—Packers.com
An ankle injury notwithstanding, could Jalen Mayfield be the long-term answer at the other offensive tackle position?
Packers WR Davante Adams surprises alma mater with new uniforms, cleats—Packers Wire
Davante Adams continues to prove he is the best receiver in the league both on and off the field.
2021 Competition Committee and Club Playing Rules Proposals—NFL.com
Players could soon start wearing non-traditional numbers for the positions should a new rule pass. Please don’t tell Andy Benoit.
Mom tells daughter she’s been shot as April Fools’ Day joke—ABC News
Mom probably should have thought this one through a little more. A false alarm is not a laughing matter to police.