Packers president: Rodgers 'excited' about coaching change
Aaron Rodgers will be in unfamiliar territory entering the 2019 season.
The Green Bay Packers quarterback will be under the tutelage of new head coach Matt LaFleur after playing all but four games of his career as a starter with Mike McCarthy, but Packers president Mark Murphy has faith in the face of his franchise.
"He has to embrace it," Murphy said Tuesday at the NFL combine, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "And I think he is. I hope he adapts well. I'm excited. I know he's excited. I've had some discussions with him."
Rodgers' relationship with his new coach could very well dictate the success of a franchise that's missed the playoffs in two straight seasons.
"I think (Rodgers) knows Matt's background and the work he's done with quarterbacks," Murphy continued. "Change is hard, but it's good. And I think he's excited about the change."
LaFleur previously served as the Tennessee Titans' offensive coordinator after spending a season in the same role with the Los Angeles Rams. He turned over much of McCarthy's staff following his hiring but brought back assistant Luke Getsy as quarterbacks coach.
Along with new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, Getsy and LaFleur will be responsible for getting the Packers' offense back on track.
"We've got three quarterback guys that are going to be hitting him from all angles," LaFleur said last week. "I'm going to do part. I know that I need to be in that room, especially as much as I possibly can because I am going to be the play-caller.
"I think that relationship between the play-caller and the quarterback is absolutely critical. So I will be in there as much as I can. I don't foresee ever missing a quarterback meeting."
Murphy is aware next season could be difficult for his quarterback after more than a decade under the same head coach, but the Packers president is optimistic about the future of the team under Rodgers.
"He's driven," Murphy said. "He wants to win championships, and I think he knows that he's got only so many years left. I'm excited. I think he and Matt, I think that relationship is going to be crucial. He's the head coach, but he's the play-caller."