Mike LaFleur wanted no part of it.
The Jets offensive coordinator knew the questions were going to come about coaching against his older brother Matt, head coach of the Packers, who the Jets play Sunday in Green Bay.
LaFleur, however, wanted no part of basking in the uniqueness of two brothers coaching against each other.
“No. Truly, you’re so focused on your players and attacking this defense,’’ LaFleur said. “That [playing against his brother] is not crossing my mind at all. Obviously, I knew this was going to happen in terms of the questions and stuff like that, and I respect that, but my mindset is solely on these players, putting Zach [Wilson] and the rest of the offense in the position to go out and get the results that they want.
“I talk to my brother the most out of anyone outside of my wife and, obviously, my kids. They’re 7 and 5, so they don’t have phones yet. I talk to Matt quite a bit.’’
Matt LaFleur (back) talks to his younger brother Mike (front) APMike and Matt, who’s seven years older, always speak on Mondays after their respective games. At that time, each has watched the tape of each other’s games and Matt often will dole out constructive criticism.
“On Mondays we do [talk] as he critiques my play calling — ‘You should have done this more or …’ It’s all constructive criticism,” the Jets offensive coordinator said. “He’s just trying to help and I appreciate that. That’s what kind of stunk about [this] Monday, is we didn’t do that. I would like to know what I could have done much better in his opinion Sunday, and I probably would have countered with something.
“We didn’t get to do that, but we’ll definitely get to do that Monday and every week after that.’’
LaFleur conceded that he and Matt have perhaps been a little more guarded when talking strategy this past few weeks with this game coming up.
“I’m guessing it was in the back of both of our minds as this is getting a little bit closer,’’ he said. “You’re just so focused about the week at hand that you’re not really concerned about what’s about to lie ahead in Week 6 or whatever week we’re already in. I think that we probably held something back.’’
The Jets are the only team in the NFL with four players with 200 or more yards receiving.
“We got playmakers all around,’’ Wilson said. “You can’t scheme against us and say, ‘If we take away this one guy, they’re not going to have another element in the pass game.’ I think it shows we have the ability to spread the ball around, one guy’s going to go off each and every game … and we’re slowly finding our identity as an offense as well, so it’s a good thing to have that many guys that can get open.’’
Jets LB C.J. Mosley (hip) and edge-rusher Carl Lawson (ankle) both were full practice participants Thursday after they were limited on Wednesday. LB Quincy Williams (ankle) remained limited in practice, as did LT Duane Brown. DL Jermaine Johnson (ankle) is still not yet practicing and is certainly out for Sunday’s game.
For the Packers, TE Marcedes Lewis missed practice for the second consecutive day for a non-injury-related reason. QB Aaron Rodgers, after not practicing Wednesday with a right thumb injury, practiced full Thursday. LB Rashan Gary (toe) showed up on the injury report and was limited Thursday. DL Devonte Wyatt (quad) was limited as was OT David Bakhtiari (knee). Both WR Christian Watson (hamstring) and LB Tipa Galeai (hamstring) sat out practice.







