This past Sunday, the Green Bay Packers snapped a four-game losing streak. They took down another struggling franchise, the Los Angeles Rams, 20-3. It was a necessary victory, but it doesn’t mean they have turned a corner. Even in victory, issues still poked their ugly head. There is no doubt that the Packers will go through some type of change this off-season. One area that might be hit the hardest when it comes to change is the Green Bay Packers coaching staff.
Changes Could Be Coming To Green Bay Packers Coaching Staff
We believe there will be a shakeup when it comes to the Green Bay Packers coaching staff this coming offseason. But don’t expect any change when it comes to the person in charge of this franchise. While head coach Matt LaFleur finds his seat getting hotter, don’t expect president Mark Murphy to part ways with the man he chose to replace Mike McCarthy.
By no means are we saying that LaFleur doesn’t deserve blame for some of the Packers struggles this season. He has made quite a few errors, especially when it comes to the Green Bay Packers offense. Still, he wasn’t done any favors by general manager Brian Gutekunst and the rest of the Packers front office. LaFleur was given a flawed and inexperienced roster to work with.
The chances of a change in direction, a young direction at that, for the Packers roster is highly unlikely. A youth movement has started and there is no way Gutekunst, Murphy, and Russ Ball are going to shift from that. If there is going to be a change, it will come by a shift in the Green Bay Packers coaching staff. Today, we dive into the possible changes to the offensive staff of the Packers.
Adam Stenavich, Offensive Coordinator
Adam Stenavich did a remarkable job when he was the Packers offensive line coach from 2019-2021. Under Stenavich’s guidance, the Packers fielded some of the best offensive lines in the NFL. But since being promoted to offensive coordinator, the Packers offensive line has struggled and so has the overall offense.
Firing Stenavich would give the appearance he was the issue. It’s doubtful that LaFleur would do such a thing, especially since LaFleur is the offensive playcaller. But something needs to change. It appears LaFleur needs an outside voice, a voice that isn’t a buddy of LaFleur’s. The best thing for the Packers coaching staff would be to place Stenavich in a position where he thrives. For most adults, taking a demotion is off the table. But maybe Stenavich would accept a new title, such as assistant head coach/offensive line.
Luke Butkus, Offensive Line
Things haven’t gone well for Luke Butkus since he took over for Stenavich as the Packers offensive line coach. Yes, he has had to deal with injuries to his unit. But younger players such as Josh Myers and Jon Runyan Jr. haven’t made the progression that most had expected they would.
Unfortunately, someone needs to take the fall for the offensive line’s struggles. With Stenavich still around, the best thing for the Packers coaching staff would be to have Stenavich replace Butkus. It is doubtful that Butkus would accept a demotion back to assistant offensive line coach. That would be like someone in the personnel department accepting a general manager position but not having control over all the football operations. Oh, wait.
Tom Clements, Quarterbacks
Starting quarterback Jordan Love has had some growing pains in his first season as the Packers starting quarterback. Even with this being his third professional season, the growing pains were expected.
Tom Clements is a veteran quarterbacks coach and he has a solid track record. He was one of the driving forces that helped develop Aaron Rodgers in his early years. Before joining LaFleur’s staff, Clements didn’t have any connections to LaFleur. He is the type of coach that this Packers offensive staff needs more of. LaFleur needs someone who will push back and possibly open up LaFleur to new concepts. It might be a good idea to expand Clements’s coaching duties. That is giving him the title of pass game coordinator as well.
Ben Sirmans, Running Backs Coach
If you follow the Packers here, you know that we think highly of running backs coach Ben Sirmans. He has done a great job with starting running back Aaron Jones. His work with Sirmans has made Jones one of the most productive running backs in the NFL. Backup running back AJ Dillon has regressed since his rookie season, but that shouldn’t be placed on Sirmans. It very well could be that Dillon has hit his ceiling.
Sirmans has been a loyal assistant to LaFleur and has done a solid job. Not only should he return to the coaching staff in 2024, but we believe he should be the Packers next run game coordinator. He has more than earned the promotion.
Jason Vrable, Wide Receivers/Pass Game Coordinator
We still don’t understand how Jason Vrable earned a promotion on the Packers coaching staff, taking over as the pass game coordinator for Luke Getsy who departed to the Chicago Bears. His work with the wide receivers hasn’t been overly impressive. Second-year wide receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs were expected to make a big jump this season. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened.
Since becoming the pass game coordinator, the Packers passing attack has lagged as well. Sure, that partly has to do with LaFleur, but Vrable has had a big part in that as well. Parting ways with Vrable this off-season would open up a spot for a new voice, possibly a veteran wide receivers coach. It also would allow Clements to take over the pass game coordinator role as well.
John Dunn, Tight Ends
Here is another head-scratching hire by LaFleur. As we previously wrote, John Dunn brought with him one of the most unimpressive resumes you will see from an assistant coach. In every stop he has had, losing has followed Dunn. When he was promoted to the tight ends coach, we found it baffling.
Now, Dunn finds himself coaching a unit that is young and has a lot of potential. The Packers spent high draft picks on Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft in the 2023 NFL Draft. Both have had their issues this season. I am not sure LaFleur wants to place the future of Musgrave and Kraft in the hands of Dunn. Similar to Vrable, this coaching position would be better off with a new voice in the tight ends room.
Main Photo: Tork Mason – USA Today Sports
