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The Green Bay Packers finished up mandatory minicamp on Thursday. When addressing the media this week, head coach Matt LaFleur discussed one thing he was preaching to the team over the offseason and that was “finishing.” The Packers lost too many games when opponents managed late-game rallies including the team’s playoff loss to the Bears. “It all starts with a mindset and being conscious of that,” LaFleur told reporters. “That’s one thing we’ve definitely emphasized. Finishing every rep. Finishing every drill. Certainly, reinforcing that in those team meetings. As we get into camp and into more competitive periods, it’ll be another area of emphasis as we move forward.” This is important for the players and LaFleur is right to remind them of it. Finishing is important in the NFL. When you have established a lead and have the other team down, you need to finish them off. You can’t change your game plan drastically and take your foot off the gas. But LaFleur also has to consider listening to his own words because his failure to “finish” as a coach and play caller contributed to the team’s struggles in that area last season. The playoff game in Chicago was the most painful example of a recurring problem. The Packers held a seemingly comfortable 21-3 lead at halftime. Green Bay scored touchdowns on their first three drives of the game. These were long drives of nine, 10, and eight plays. On the final drive before the break, the Packers got into field goal range with little time left on the clock although Brandon McManus missed a 55-yard field goal on the final play of the half. On all four drives, the Packers moved the football with a good, aggressive mix of running and passing and the play calls were creative and aggressive. But in the second half, LaFleur’s play calling got conservative. He took his foot off the gas despite his famous slogan of “all gas, no brake.” LaFleur stopped his innovative play calling. The pre-snap motion ceased. The scheming players open in the passing game stopped. The play calls became basic and bland, and the running game was ineffective. The Packers punted on each of their first four drives of the second half and gained just one first down in three third quarter-drives. They gave the Bears every chance to get back into the game. The Bears scored on five of their six second half drives and won the football game. When you do that against quality opponents, you will end up losing games you should have won. LaFleur did get more aggressive again after the Bears had already rallied and got back into the game. The Packers scored again with 3:32 left in the game, moved the ball into field goal range but McManus missed the kick and then got as close as the Chicago 23 before the clock ran out and the game was over. LaFleur also needs to be more aggressive and to go for it more often on fourth and short situations like most modern NFL coaches do. The analytics prove this is the higher percentage move and LaFleur should go in that direction more often. Finishing means continuing to follow your game plan even with a big lead. You don’t need to run up the score, necessarily, but you do need to continue to play like you want to win. The culture on a football team often is set from the top and from the leaders in the locker room. LaFleur needs to do his part to “finish” in 2026 if the Packers hope to contend for a Super Bowl this season. He also has to commit himself to reducing the mental errors that have plagued the team over the last few seasons. Lining up offsides, not having the proper number of players in the huddle or burning timeouts because of slow play calls are all issues that can be cleaned up and start with the coaching staff setting the tone. The coach was right when he addressed the team about the importance of “finishing” this season. He also needs to make sure he does the same thing, or the results will likely be more of the same. Filed Under: FeaturedGil Martin PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE. __________________________ You can follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers __________________________ NFL Categories: Green Bay PackersTags: Green Bay PackersMatt LaFleur Like 0 points