Rob Demovsky of ESPN reports that Mike Pettine will return as Packers defensive coordinator for the 2020 season.
Demovsky adds that Petting met with HC Matt LaFleur after his press conference earlier in the day and the plan is for them to move forward together.
LaFleur was asked this morning about Pettine’s status with the team following the disappointing defensive performance against the 49ers and he offered a vague response that left the door open to a potential change.
“I mean, we’re still working through everything right now,” LaFleur said, via the Athletic. “Just trying to evaluate everything.”
LaFleur said they were “outcoached” by the 49ers, but he still felt like the defense didn’t put forth enough energy for a big game.
“I just didn’t feel like we played with the same urgency, the same tenacity, the same toughness,” LaFleur said of Pettine’s defense. “We didn’t set the edge the same as we had been earlier this season. It’s disappointing because it’s not like we didn’t know what they were going to try to do. We knew exactly what they were going to try to do.
“We knew they were going to run the football and for them to be able to do that was extremely disappointing and I just didn’t think we played with the same effort as what I had seen earlier in the season.”
Pettine, 53, began his NFL coaching career with the Ravens as an assistant defensive line coach back in 2002. He spent seven years in Baltimore before taking over as the Jets defensive coordinator in 2009.
Pettine spent one year in Buffalo with the Bills before being hired as the Browns’ head coach for the 2014 season. The Packers hired him as their defensive coordinator in 2018, replacing Dom Capers.
In 2019, the Packers defense was No. 18 best in total yards allowed, No. 15 in points allowed, No. 15 in rushing yards allowed and No. 17 in passing yards allowed.
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
