While 31 NFL teams’ season will end in disappointment, the way the year ended for the Green Bay Packers will not sit well with anyone. Not only did this team snap a winning streak against the Chicago Bears, but the Packers were also dominated by the Philadelphia Eagles during Wild Card Weekend of the NFL Playoffs.
Following the playoff loss, the state of the Packers became worse. We have seen players making excuses, reports of locker room dysfunction, and a coaching change. More changes to the Packers coaching staff may be coming in the form of firings. However, the changes started with a long-time Packer great stepping away. Quarterback coach Tom Clements has decided to retire, leaving behind a massive hole at a vital position.
Green Bay Packers Coach Steps Away
It was reported that long-time Green Bay Packers quarterback coach Tom Clements has decided to retire. At 71 years old, it is not necessarily a surprising bit of news. However, for Packers fans and those hopeful that quarterback Jordan Love will continue to develop, it could be a concerning bit of news.
Tom Clements is an incredible quarterback coach who has been instrumental to Green Bay’s success over the years. He first joined the Packers in 2006, coming from Kansas City with new head coach Mike McCarthy.
Clements served as the quarterback coach from 2006-11. He would be elevated to offensive coordinator for 2012-14, then assistant head coach for 2015-16. The long-time Packers coach then went to Arizona for two years before retiring. However, Aaron Rodgers made a call and a visit to Clements, convincing him to come out of retirement to return to Green Bay.
Rodgers wanted Clements back on the team to coach him once again but to also help develop a new young project — Jordan Love. Clements has spent the past three seasons helping Love become a pro. However, following a game in which Love showed a great deal of regression when the pressure was at its highest, Clements has made the decision to entire retirement once again.
Who Should the Next Packers QB Coach Be?
Clearly, the Green Bay Packers‘ future depends on the continued growth and success of Jordan Love. After a season that was disappointing on a few levels, the hiring of a new Packers quarterback coach is an important one.
Following the Eagles loss, head coach Matt LaFleur noted his disappointment in Love’s play in the Wild Card Weekend game. Footwork and mechanics continue to be areas of emphasis for Love to improve in. However, LaFleur has also noted that Jordan Love will need to become a vocal leader heading into next season.
For this reason, it is important that the next Packers QB coach is someone who can not only develop Love’s on-field skills but also empower Love to become the leader of this young locker room.
On Lombardi Sweep, I have begged the Packers to bring in a veteran backup for Jordan Love, as he would be able to teach Love how to act on day-to-day, tell him what he can and cannot say to coaches and the locker room, and further help develop him into a leader and professional. Green Bay won’t do that, because they don’t want someone the fans may vocalize they want on the field. So, instead of a veteran backup, the next Packers QB coach should be a former player. A young positional coach who has been there and done that would be great. Rumors of Dan Orlovsky have begun, but a coach like Josh McCown or Teddy Bridgewater also come to mind.
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