The Chicago Bears feel pressure this Saturday, but it's your typical pressure. It's the playoffs and it is at home against your biggest rival. Such games are always intense. However, it sounds like the stakes are considerably higher for the Green Bay Packers. That is particularly true for head coach Matt LaFleur. This year marks the sixth winning season in seven years for him. There is considerable tension up north because a loss on Saturday would mark the third straight year LaFleur has been one-and-done in the playoffs.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk stated on 670 The Score that there is an undercurrent of belief that the Packers may fire him if the Bears knock them out. Fans have grown frustrated with LaFleur in recent months. Additionally, Green Bay has a new team president in Ed Policy, who succeeded Mark Murphy, who retired. He had no say in the hiring of LaFleur or GM Brian Gutekunst. Another disappointing loss in what many felt was a Super Bowl-or-bust year might be enough incentive for him to make changes.
Firing Matt LaFleur would be a grave mistake.
A strong case can be made that Green Bay's continued success over the past several years is largely due to his coaching. If you look at Green Bay's recent drafts, they aren't as strong as they've been in the past. LaFleur has made the most of what he's been given, including the development of quarterback Jordan Love into a productive player. They've been near the top of the NFL in offense every year. Normally, when this is the case, you don't fire the head coach. Such is the reality of an organization that hasn't done much losing in a long time. They believe they can always do better.
The thing is that isn't always the case. Either way, the Bears should be anxious to find out what life after Matt LeFleur in Green Bay looks like. To do that, they must take care of business on Saturday. It won't be easy. A cornered animal always fights the hardest. LaFleur has a tendency to jump on the Bears early in games, a tactic that has worked well for him on several occasions. Flipping that script is paramount. If Chicago pulls it off, their lives may get a lot easier pretty soon.
