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Rob Demovsky, ESPN writer
GREEN BAY, Wis. — If Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur shakes up his coaching staff before the end of the season, this moment seemed the most likely, given the team’s always inconsistent defense was sparked by Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield on Sunday.
But that was not the case.
In fact, LaFleur indicated that much-criticized defensive coordinator Joe Barry will remain as defensive coordinator and play-caller for at least the remainder of the season.
“Yes, that’s the plan,” said LaFleur, who has not made a coaching change during his five seasons as head coach.
Less than 24 hours ago, LaFleur didn’t want to discuss the possibility of any changes following Sunday’s 34-20 loss to the Buccaneers during which Mayfield threw for 381 yards and four touchdowns.
“If I believe this is the best solution today, we will make that decision,” LaFleur said Monday. “But when you have basic communication issues and you’re supposed to be in a certain coverage or a certain course and we don’t get that communication, what’s very disappointing to me is the fact that the communication was poor.
“And it always starts with us. It starts with myself, and goes to all our assistant coaches. So obviously the training was not up to par and our performance on the field showed that as well.”
To that end, LaFleur said he plans to spend more time with the defense this week ahead of Sunday’s game at the Carolina Panthers.
The Packers (6-8) will likely be in a must-win situation over each of their final three games to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Although LaFleur blamed much of the problem on poor communication, he didn’t completely absolve Barry of issues with the game plan and play decisions, especially when it came to how much support the Packers provided to Tampa Bay’s receivers.
“I know there are some [calls] Which Joe would like to get back, particularly some third-and-3 to 4-yard plays where we play soft zone and they can easily get a free completion, just like there were a couple of calls I made that I would like to get back into the red zone,” said LaFleur, who calls the offensive play. “It’s football, but hopefully we can learn from this and not make the same mistake twice.”
It became clear early Monday that LaFleur wouldn’t make any changes as Barry held his regular postgame meetings with the defense.
“We can’t play the blame game; that’s exactly what we just ended the meeting on,” cornerback Eric Stokes said. “We have to find the solutions. There’s no reason to play the blame game, the blame game will get us nothing. We have to find the solutions because it’s moving to Charlotte next week. So, yeah, we’ve got to look back in the mirror. We can do it.” “Everything. Just line up and play ball.”
Barry, who was hired in 2021 to replace Mike Pettine, was widely criticized last season for the Packers’ inability to stop the run. It’s been an issue this season as well, as the Packers have allowed more than 200 yards rushing in four games. But on Sunday, it was almost all about pass defense, despite five sacks from Mayfield.
But there have also been times this season, especially when the offense struggled early in the year, when LaFleur praised Barry’s unit for keeping the team in games. Just two weeks ago, the Packers cracked the top 10 in scoring defense. Now, they have dropped to 17th in points allowed per game.
“Because I’ve seen us do these things before,” LaFleur said when asked why there was no coaching change. “So, it’s unfortunate that it happens at this time of the year in such an important game. But I’ve seen us do it earlier in the year or in previous games.”