Packers Hiring Matt LaFleur and Revamping Defense Were Near-Perfect Decisions

The Green Bay Packers faced a crucial 2019 offseason. The team went two consecutive seasons without a playoff berth and opted to move on from then-head coach Mike McCarthy.

Brian Gutekunst, knowing his job was on the line, hired offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur from the Tennessee Titans to become the new sideline boss. After that, he went against the "Green Bay Way" and spent big money on defensive players.

Those moves alone helped the Packers make it to the NFC Championship Game.

LaFleur was the anti-McCarthy in his first year. The conservative plays were thrown out the window, and he brought in a new scheme that gave the Packers more of a balanced offense. A potent rushing attack with Aaron Rodgers going deep? Perfect.

While Green Bay's offense was statistically considered average, LaFleur did something that McCarthy could never do, and that's utilize running back Aaron Jones to his full potential. In Jones' first season under LaFleur, he tallied career-highs in carries (236), rushing yards (1,084), and rushing touchdowns (16).

Then, there's the defense. Gutekunst spent money on two difference-makers in Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith.

In his first season in Green Bay, Za'Darius actually improved from his Baltimore Ravens days, and turned into one of the most unblockable edge rushers in the entire league. As for Preston, he showed his propensity of getting to the quarterback (12 sacks), while also showing his ability to defend against the pass.

And the Smiths showed up big time in the playoffs, as both notched two sacks on Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in the NFC Divisional Round.

The Packers organization went against the grain in hiring a young head coach in Matt LaFleur and changing the identity of their defense via free agency, and it's paid off immensely.

Now, they're one win away from reaching their first Super Bowl in 10 years.