Even in the Frozen Tundra, Matt LaFleur’s proverbial seat could be starting to generate some warmth.
The Packers’ flop in their home opener Thursday night against the Falcons, a 35-14 uncompetitive beatdown orchestrated by a previously winless team, has the coach searching for answers — and perhaps even forcing others to wonder about his job security after last year’s epic playoff choke.
Green Bay, a perennial contender, is a Jets collapse — and questionable play calling — away from a winless start and this 1-2 beginning is the worst in his eight seasons.
A large portion of the on-the-field blame has fallen on a beleaguered offensive line
“I think we’ve got to continue to work with these guys and try to figure out what we do well,” LaFleur said when asked about the front five, “because right now I don’t know what we’re doing well offensively.”
LaFleur has enjoyed tremendous regular-season success as the Packers’ coach, posting a 77-42-1 record, but his postseason flameouts have led to growing irritation among the fan base.
Green Bay has entered the playoffs as the No. 7 seed in three straight years, and last year’s team choked on the road against the rival Bears — never a good thing for a Packers coach — by blowing an 18-point halftime lead and 11-point edge with 6:36 remaining in a 31-27 loss.
The front office still showed faith in LaFleur by rewarding him with a multiyear extension, but this year’s team could be his worst, passing the 8-9 2022 version in Aaron Rodgers’ final season with the franchise.
The Packers opened the 2026 season by giving their fans deja vu in squandering a 12-point lead by allowing 29 unanswered points to backup Carson Wentz in Minnesota in a 39-22 setback, and then needing some help from some questionable Jets decisions to survive in overtime in Week 2.
That set the stage for Thursday’s home opener against a winless Falcons team that got pummeled by Carolina in Week 2 and would start Michael Penix Jr. in his first game back from an ACL tear.
The night instead delved into one filled with boos sine the Packers could not generate any sustained offense and the defense got torched by running back Bijan Robinson and receiver Drake London.
The Packers’ line allowed 15 quick pressures to a mediocre at best pass rush, the second-most in any game this season behind only the 17 they yielded in Week 1, per ESPN.
Green Bay lost standout right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele to an ACL tear earlier this week, further compromising an already questionable group.
Quarterback Jordan Love never could not get comfortable in the pocket behind a makeshift offensive line dealing with injuries, completing 28 of 53 passes for one touchdowns while tossing two interceptions.
LaFleur did not entertain a question postgame about possibly making a coaching change for the unit.
“It was a butt whooping,” he said of the loss.
Green Bay also has no rushing game, tallying a measly 146 yards across three games, easily the worst per-game mark in the NFL.
Starter Josh Jacobs is on the commissioner’s list while he deals with the legal process regarding allegations of domestic violence.
“I think we can all see the benefit of a strong rushing attack, how you get into normal rhythm on offense and it will open up a lot of things in the passing game,” LaFleur said. “Anytime you drop back 50-somewhat times in a game and you have nine rushes, it’s usually not going to bode well for you.”
A Green Bay defense that played well to start the season regressed Thursday night, offering little resistance to Robinson and Penix.
Robinson torched them for 213 total yards (194 rushing) and two touchdowns, and London caught nine passes for 194 yards.
Penix responded from an interception on the first drive to complete 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards and one touchdown.
Green Bay will now have 10 days to ready for a Week 4 road game against an equally disappointing Buccaneers team in what could be a desperation game for both teams.
“We’ve got a couple extra days and everybody’s gotta take a long, hard look at themselves and we gotta find solutions and just come back ready for work,” LaFleur said. “It certainly was a tough night.”
