Less than a year ago, I wrote about how Green Bay Packers HC Matt LaFleur deserved to be in conversation for the AP’s NFL Coach of the Year award. I’M BACK TO KEEP TALKING ABOUT IT, because the rest of football media seem to forget this handsome devil even exists. Earlier this week, The Athletic made a post about the odds for 2024’s Coach of the Year. The names, in order: Dan Campbell (DET), Mike Tomlin (PIT), Kevin O’Connell (MIN), Jim Harbaugh (LAC), and Sean Payton (DEN). Notably absent? Matthew Patrick LaFleur.

Same, Matt. Same.

Since his debut as Packers HC in 2019, Matt LaFleur has seen success only achieved by one other coach in his first six years, George Siefert, who won 75 regular season games. The Packers’ most recent win against the Miami Dolphins on Thanksgiving was LaFleur’s 65th regular season win. Of course, it’s the Coach of the Year award, not the Coach of the Last Six Years award (someone should make this happen.) But for LaFleur to see this much success, without winning the award once? That’s cold piss energy.

The first few years, we heard that LaFleur wasn’t the reason the Packers won 13 games for three straight seasons. He couldn’t possibly be the reason, not when they had a HOF QB who won two straight MVP awards in 2020 and 2021 (someone should go check on that guy and see how he’s doing.) And you know what, sure. I’d accept this. EXCEPT…

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SAME, MATT. SAME.

In 2023, the team took a gamble by trading away that HOF 4x MVP QB, in favor of the guy who was doomed to a career of never-ending comparison to his predecessor. “Enjoy mediocrity”, they said. They said it a lot. Like, so many people said it. Anyways. The team ended up making the playoffs, in Jordan Love’s first year as a starter for the team. Surely, this warrants Coach of the Year consideration, right? Voters said no, and LaFleur finished ninth in voting. What was the excuse this time? Was the QB once again getting all the credit for their success? You know what, sure. I’d accept this. EXCEPT…

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What’s that? A picture of Malik Willis with his arms up in celebration? OH, THAT’S RIGHT. The Packers lost their franchise quarterback for two games with an MCL injury, and then lost him for another half of a game with a groin injury. In his place was Malik Willis, who won his first game as a Packer after being with the team for less than two weeks. Willis had three career starts and a 1-2 record before joining the Packers. Credit where credit is due, Willis has played his little behind off when needed, but the offense had to make incredible adjustments for that to happen, and it simply would not have been possible without Matt LaFleur leading the way.

Simply put, Matt LaFleur is the common denominator. In a year when the NFC North is the most competitive division in the history of the NFL, in a year when they’ve lost the heart of their offense multiple times, LaFleur has coached them to a season where a Wild Card playoff spot seems all but guaranteed. It seems to be the consensus that LaFleur is one of the best coaches in the NFL, which is great. BUT WHERE IS HIS AWARD?! Get it together, voters! Or else! (This is a very empty threat, I am a five-foot-three woman.)