Matt LaFleur announced that the Green Bay Packers won’t make a coaching change from defensive coordinator Joe Barry during the season.
Barry has faced harsh criticism after Green Bay surrendered 381 passing yards and four touchdowns to Baker Mayfield in a costly 34-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, LaFleur confirmed Monday that the coordinator will finish his third season with the organization.
“If I thought that was the best solution today, then we’d make that decision,” LaFleur said.
#Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur was asked will Joe Barry remain your defensive coordinator? #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/FwAJyhdlsa
— Packers Total Access- Clayton (@packers_access) December 18, 2023
Green Bay soared into the NFC playoff picture with huge wins over the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs. However, that momentum quickly fizzled when allowing 209 rushing yards in a 24-22 loss to a New York Giants team that ranks 31st in total yards and points.
Mayfield and the Buccaneers then carved up the Packers at Lambeau Field last Sunday. Green Bay allowed 7.5 yards per play and fell to 23rd in total defense this season.
LaFleur said “self-inflicted communication errors” plagued Green Bay during a crucial Week 15 loss.
“When you’re having basic communication problems and you’re supposed to be in a certain coverage or a certain rotation and we’re not getting that communication … it always starts with us,” LaFleur said. “It starts with myself and it goes to all our assistant coaches. So obviously the coaching wasn’t up to the standard and our performance on the field definitely showed that as well.”
While LaFleur plans on playing a more hands-on role in defensive meetings, he won’t take the reins from Barry because he’s seen the unit perform better at other junctures.
“I’ve seen us execute this stuff before,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that it happened at this time of the year in such an important game. But I’ve seen us execute it earlier in the year or in previous games.”
The Packers now trail four teams by one game in the playoff picture with three games remaining. They’ll play the Carolina Panthers, who rank 30th in offense, this Sunday.