GREEN BAY – As the Green Bay Packers prepare for their first road trip this season against the Cleveland Browns, coach Matt LaFleur addressed the media, highlighting several key aspects of the upcoming matchup.
While acknowledging the significant challenge posed by Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett – a four-time All-Pro whose disruption is often compared to Micah Parsons – LaFleur emphasized that the Packers offense will need to contend with far more than just Garrett. The Browns’ defense, currently leading the league in allowing just 191.5 yards per game through two weeks, presents a multifaceted challenge.
“I think a lot of it starts with their front,” LaFleur stated. “We all know what kind of player Myles Garrett is, but they’ve got a lot of guys. They’re a hard-penetrating front that causes a lot of problems for quarterbacks. I think that allows the DBs to kind of tee off on some things, but they also play aggressive man coverage too. So it’s a really well-coached unit, and we’re going to have to have our best game offensively.”
The Browns bolstered their defense during the offseason with key draft picks, including defensive tackle Mason Graham (fifth overall) and linebacker Devin Bush (tenth overall), who already has three defended passes. Cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II form a solid secondary. Notably, the Packers defense ranks second in the NFL in stopping the run, mirroring the Browns’ dominance in that area, having allowed fewer than 100 total rushing yards in the first two games.
Packers quarterback Joe Flacco, returning to the league after more than a decade since winning a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens, remains a formidable threat. Despite diminished mobility, LaFleur sees a Super Bowl-winning quarterback capable of winning games. “The guy is a Super Bowl-winning quarterback. He worked with my brother a little bit with the Jets, and Mike [LaFleur] just raves about the person. He’s one of the purest throwers I’ve ever seen on tape, and obviously I’ve gone against him a few times. You’ve got to be really dialed in in terms of your coverage. Because it’s going to be tough to fool him. There’s nothing that he hasn’t seen.”
LaFleur highlighted the importance of disrupting Flacco’s timing, emphasizing the difficulty of throwing from a stationary position. “I think a big key is just going to be able to get him off the spot, get pressure to him,” he said. “I always tell our guys, whether it’s our quarterback or anybody else, it’s hard to throw from your back.”
Injury updates also emerged, with right tackle Zach Tom and left guard Aaron Banks limited in practice due to injuries sustained last week against the Washington Commanders. Receiver Jayden Reed underwent surgery for a broken collarbone and also had a Jones fracture repaired in his foot, though LaFleur believes the additional foot surgery will ultimately aid Reed’s long-term recovery.