Packers HC Matt LaFleur doesn’t believe firing DC Joe Barry is the team’s ‘best solution’ despite back-to-back losses

Joe Barry replaced Mike Pettine in the year 2021.

Packers HC Matt LaFleur doesn’t believe firing DC Joe Barry is the team’s ‘best solution’ despite back-to-back losses

Matt LaFleur and Joe Barry (Via Imago/Acme)

The Green Bay Packers had a disappointing loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football in week 15. They dropped to 6-8 after 14 games. The loss triggered chances of a coaching reshuffle in the team. Multiple speculations arose that defensive coordinator Joe Barry might receive a golden handshake once the season comes to an end.

However, the Packers head coach Matt LaFleur does not believe that. He refuted all the speculations of the Packers sacking Joe Barry. Instead, he backed Barry in his ‘difficult time.’ 

If I thought that was the best solution today, then we'd make that decision --But 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, that's what's so disappointing to me is the fact that it was poor communication.
LaFleur told ESPN on Monday.

The Packers will face the Carolina Panthers in the coming matchday. Ahead of the game, the HC will speak to Joe Barry regarding the defensive struggle. In addition, he will also talk to the players so that they do not repeat the mistakes that they made against the Bucs.

This season was a litmus test for the Packers. After spending 18 years on the team, Aaron Rodgers left the team and jumped onto the boats of the New York Jets. The Packers had to select a different quarterback as the regular starter for the first time in 18 years. That quarterback, Jordan Love, had some impressive games. However, that did not help the team to have a winning record.

Despite backing Matt LaFleur also criticized Joe Barry a bit

Despite backing the DC in his tough time, LaFleur said Barry made a few mistakes in some calls. These decisions include some play-call decisions against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Matt LaFleur
Matt LaFleur (via Imago)
I know there's some [calls] that Joe would like to have back, in particular some of those third-and-3-to-4-yard plays where we're playing soft zone and they can easily get a free completion, just like there were a couple of calls I'd like to have back in the red zone," said LaFleur. "And that's football, but hopefully we can learn from that and not make that same mistake twice.

Joe Barry replaced Mike Pettine in the year 2021. Since then, he has been in charge of the team. Nonetheless, the criticism against him started taking place last year when the team failed to stop runs from the opponent teams. This problem has been persisting this season as well.

In case you missed it: