The NFL coaching world is all about connections, and some go way back, while others are just plain interesting. One of the more unique stories out there is the relationship between Matt LaFleur, the head coach of the Green Bay Packers, and Mike LaFleur, the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams. These two aren’t just colleagues in the league; they share a bond that’s a bit more personal.
So, let’s take into what makes their relationship stand out.
The LaFleur Brothers: A Shared Football Journey
Yes, Matt and Mike LaFleur are actually brothers. No surprises there. What is surprising is how far they’ve both come in the NFL, each building out impressive coaching careers. Matt, the older brother, was born in 1980 and has been leading the Packers since 2019. Under him, Green Bay has been a pretty consistent playoff contender. This past season, they finished 11-6, thanks in large part to the progress of quarterback Jordan Love. Sure, Love had his ups and downs, but he still managed 25 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and 3,389 passing yards with a 63.1% completion rate. Unfortunately, the 2024 season ended for Matt on kind of a sour note with a 22-10 Wild Card loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, but still.
On the other hand is Mike, who was born in 1987 and has taken a different path. He started as a quarterbacks coach with the 49ers, then became offensive coordinator for the Jets before landing his current gig with the Rams. This year, Mike’s Rams put together a solid 10-7 season and made a statement in the playoffs with a 27-9 win over the Vikings. Matthew Stafford led the charge with 209 passing yards per game and two touchdowns, while the defense went off, racking up nine sacks in that game.
The brothers have actually faced each other six times in the NFL, and, fun fact, Mike’s teams are up 4-2 on Matt’s Packers. It’s a competitive rivalry, no doubt, but it has had no effect on their relationship. As Matt once said, “We’re as close as any two brothers, especially in this league.”
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A Sibling Rivalry On The Field
The LaFleur family dynamic makes their rivalry even more interesting. Despite all the competition, the brothers are super close. Matt even bought their parents a house in Green Bay. Still, he doesn’t love it when Mike comes out on top. “It’s a tough pill to swallow,” he admitted once. Meanwhile, Mike likes to keep things light, joking that their parents probably like him better anyway. A classic little brother move.
The two have pretty different coaching styles. Matt is all about leadership and strategy, which has made him a strong head coach. Mike, on the other hand, is known for his creative offensive schemes and is building a reputation on his own. But off the field, they’re just brothers. They talk all the time, though not about football when their teams are about to play. As Mike put it, “We’re still talking, just not about X’s and O’s.”
In the end, their rivalry isn’t about bad blood or anything like that. It’s more about pushing each other to be better. No matter if they’re on opposite sidelines or just hanging out as a family, Matt and Mike LaFleur show how football and family can, you know, work together. At the end of the day, blood really is thicker than water.
Also Read: Who Are The Best Brother Duos In NFL History? Ft. John And Jim Harbaugh
