When it comes to Matt LaFleur, quarterback pressure cookers aren’t new for him. In the past, he has led Matt Ryan to an MVP season in 2016 as the Falcons’ quarterback coach. He was also instrumental in reviving Jared Goff’s mechanics with the Rams in 2017. And don’t forget that he was the offensive coordinator in Tennessee during the Marcus Mariota period, but his tenure was brief because LaFleur refused to babysit stagnation.

And now? In Green Bay, where he serves as head coach, the shadows of Favre and Aaron Rodgers loom larger than Lambeau’s wintry evenings. So, LaFleur’s patience is running low after five seasons of attempting to change transition into transformation. He has no problem pressing buttons when a quarterback reaches an endpoint, and it appears that Jordan Love might be the next to get pushed. Because the ‘developmental grace period’ has ended in a make-or-break 2025.

Jordan Love’s margin of error is rapidly decreasing. On the NFL on NBC, Mike Florio and Charean Williams gave a clear picture: Love’s growth isn’t solely about mechanics anymore. The goal is to survive. Florio stated bluntly, “It’s not clear which way Jordan Love is going to break. He played well enough in his first year as a starter to get that massive contract last year… but he did not live up to it. Was it injury? Was it something else? This is a critical season for him.” He didn’t just say it to attract views. And it’s far more than the Jordan Love problem. It’s about the looming danger the Packers have to face this season.

And the danger? As Florio put it, “The schedule is much more difficult this year, because of the rotation.” With four road trips in the remaining six weeks and five of their next seven games against NFC North rivals, Green Bay is under intense in-division pressure. Excuses about growing pains are hard to come by when you combine Thanksgiving fatigue with a tougher AFC-NFC draw.

And LaFleur is aware: The Packers can only have a better season if Jordan Love works on his game. Charean Williams also added her views on the same, “You know, to me it boils down to Jordan Love. Is he gonna take that next step? I mean, he hadn’t made a Pro Bowl yet. Everybody makes a Pro Bowl. He hasn’t done that yet. He’s been okay…There’s only so many years that you get to take that next step.”

And if this wasn’t enough to point out the issues in the Packers roster, Florio stated the obvious, “Post Rodgers, they (Packers) haven’t really blossomed.”  Like they’ve just kind of existed. Almost relevant, but never showing up at the playoffs. LaFleur’s resume is filled with quarterbacks he has benched or assisted in developing. If Love doesn’t take the initiative right away, his name might go away. In what might be the most brutal division in the NFL this season, a third-year starter with ‘potential’ won’t cut it. And now we know why—it’s because of his footwork.

Matt LaFleur’s new QB coach just pinpointed the problem

That isn’t just speculation. That comes directly from Sean Mannion, the new quarterbacks coach at Green Bay, who took over for veteran quarterback whisperer Tom Clements following his retirement. And the offseason priorities list isn’t being sugarcoated by Mannion, a LaFleur disciple from their Rams days. This week, Mannion stated, “To me, it really starts with footwork. It helps your accuracy, decision-making, and the timing of the play.”

It’s no surprise because footwork is the key. And for Love? It’s shaky. 2024 saw the 26-year-old achieve a PFF rating of 77.7, down from 83.0 the previous year. Even though he has thrown for 3,389 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, the coaching tape and eye test indicate that he is struggling with the finer points. Mannion is optimistic, but not blind. “He’s a great talent, he’s got great habits… but for him, we’re really trying to focus on the fundamentals and the footwork.” 

And the stakes get higher when you zoom out. Drilling quarterbacks on mechanical perfection was how Matt LaFleur developed his career. He may have to do what he has done in the past: pull the plug if Love is unable to correct what can be fixed, such as foot placement, pocket balance, and timing. Because it’s not just about one skill, it’s about the future of the franchise. And, LaFleur, whose coaching philosophy mostly relies on timing routes and system harmony, won’t allow one quarterback to disrupt the operation for an extended period of time. Jordan Love is no longer a rookie. With a new quarterback coach and a surgical offensive coach breathing down his neck, he is a 26-year-old starter in a division that is cruel.