Coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers is one of the few coaches who has a better understanding of the type of player Aaron Rodgers is.
LaFleur helped Rodgers regain his extraordinary form after taking over as head coach in Green Bay in 2019. Together, they guided Green Bay to three playoff appearances, including consecutive trips to the NFC Championship game in 2019 and 2020.
In LaFleur’s scheme, which incorporated Rodgers’ personal preferences with the head coach’s guiding principles, Rodgers also won back-to-back NFL MVP Awards.
Rodgers tore his Achilles on just his fourth play from scrimmage, which was unfortunate for him and his new team, the New York Jets. LaFleur spoke to reporters on Wednesday about the injury and how he knew it was serious right away.
Aaron Rodgers’ injury is discussed by Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
LaFleur was asked about Rodgers’ injury when he was speaking with reporters on Wednesday.
He replied (as reported by Matt Schneidman):.
It’s difficult. I would never wish that on anyone. We are thinking of him.
Because of how tough and competitive he is, I have a lot of respect for him.
“Whenever a player of his caliber chooses not to play football, I believe it is detrimental to our sport.
“.
The fact that Rodgers remained seated on the field, according to LaFleur, indicated that the injury was serious. He was aware that only something truly terrible could defeat a rival like Rodgers.
If Rodgers were to retire or come back to the Jets in 2024, LaFleur responded:.
“For someone of his caliber, I would wager that he would recover from that with ease.
“.
LaFleur has experience with Achilles tears because he tore his own early in his time with the Packers.
If Rodgers could recover from this injury, that would be very interesting. He will turn 40 in December, and many athletes younger than him have seen their careers end due to torn Achilles tendons.
However, as LaFleur noted, Rodgers would do it if anyone were to.