The Green Bay Packers are 5-2 in a tight race for the NFC North. The Packers’ defense has been leaps and bounds better than in years past, but the team brought another defensive mind to practice on Wednesday.
Head coach Matt LaFleur brought his good friend and former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh to Packers practice. However, surprisingly, he was helping out with the offense, LaFleur told reporters during his media availability.
“We’ve been close for a really long time. We were roommates together back at Central Michigan,” said LaFleur. “Thought it was a good idea to bring him here. He’s helping us on the offensive side of the ball. I think it’s always a good deal to have that defensive perspective on that side of the ball.”
LaFleur called the situation “fluid,” noting that he thinks it is important for Saleh to spend time with his family. Saleh will be staying until Thursday.
Saleh was the best man at LaFleur’s wedding according to according to The Packers Wire’s Zach Kruse. Saleh has also worked with Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley in the past. However, LaFleur does not want to disrupt Hafley’s staff during the team’s stretch of strong defense.
“I think (Hafley) and our defensive staff have a great thing going right now. I totally trust them. It’s Year 1, “LaFleur said. “He’s gotta go through it himself.”
Hafley was a defensive backs coach under Saleh’s defense with the San Francisco 49ers. The Jets hired Saleh as the head coach in 2021. Since hiring Saleh, the Jets’ defense ranked first in points per drive, first in expected points added per play, and third in success rate, according to ESPN’s Benjamin Solak.
The Jets fired Saleh on October 8 after a 2-3 start through five games.
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