Frustrations are beginning to mount for the Green Bay Packers as they’ve slogged through a 3-5 start to the season.
With Aaron Rodgers’ team sitting two games below .500 nearing the NFL season’s halfway mark, the Packers are facing increased criticism and tough questions. A good chunk of that has been directed toward defensive coordinator Joe Barry; Green Bay is 22nd in defensive DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) on the season, per Football Outsiders, despite spending their first two 2022 draft picks on defensive players and having stars such as Jaire Alexander and Rashan Gary in the fold.
According to an ESPN report, Packers players have grown frustrated with Barry’s play-calling on the defensive side. A source told the outlet that there has been “a declining confidence in the defensive scheme and what’s being called, and it’s led to overall frustration with the defense.”
Head coach Matt LaFleur was quick to defend Barry, saying he would “absolutely not” be making a coaching change after the Packers’ 27-17 loss to the Bills on Sunday night. He was cagey when asked if players had shared any frustrations with him.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur Getty Images
Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry Getty Images“Well, first of all, it’s impossible to please everybody,” LaFleur told reporters on Monday. “Everybody has their own opinions, their own ideas. It’s like anything else in life. You have to get the staff on the same page, first and foremost, in making sure that everybody is confident in the plan and then you teach it to the players.”
It’s far from the only problem Green Bay is facing. Their offense is also struggling, entering Week 9 at 25th in the NFL in points per game (18.3). The Packers don’t have a receiver in the top 50 in the NFL in receiving yards; Allen Lazard, their leading receiver, is currently injured and did not play on Sunday.
Rodgers himself has shown numerous signs of frustration throughout the season, especially toward his receivers. During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” last week, Rodgers called out his own players for making “mistakes” and saying certain guys “shouldn’t be playing.”
Green Bay travels to Detroit in Week 9 to face the league-worst, 1-6 Lions – though they grade out better than the Packers in many offensive categories, so getting a much-needed win may not be the easiest task in the world.
