GREEN BAY – On the day before Christmas, Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur spoke with the media as his team prepares to host the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 27. Here are some quick highlights.
Matt LaFleur is not sure who his starting quarterback will be
Jordan Love remains in concussion protocol but will practice Dec. 24 one day after going through a walk-through.
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LaFleur said he does not have a good feel for who his quarterback will be this week, and the same uncertainty exists with the Ravens with starter Lamar Jackson dealing with a back injury. He indicated it’s unusual to reach this point in game week – with a Saturday night kickoff, it’s a short week – without knowing either quarterback.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 20: Head coach Matt Lafleur of the Green Bay Packers looks on during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 20, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
“I would anticipate knowing prior to game day,” LaFleur said about Love’s status.
Then he retracted.
“Who knows?” LaFleur said. “I really don’t know. To answer your question, I’m going to retract what I said and say, especially when you’re talking about – I don’t even like to say the C-word [concussion] – it’s just a very delicate issue. We’ve seen it with certain guys, they come in, they feel great one day, and then the next day they don’t. So it really is kind of a moving target.”
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Behind Love, backup quarterback Malik Willis is dealing with a shoulder injury. Willis injured his shoulder on a sack shortly before the end of regulation and continue to play in overtime against the Chicago Bears based on “adrenaline” and the realization nobody else was behind him.
The Packers’ third quarterback is Clayton Tune, but he is on the practice squad. Tune would need to be activated to the 53-man roster to be available against the Ravens.
LaFleur said the only option, both for him and the Ravens, is to lay out their best plan for whoever might play.
“It’s the situation,” LaFleur said. “So you just prepare the best you can and try to lay out a great plan for whoever’s out there and go play.”
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Josh Jacobs, Jayden Reed split emergency quarterback duties
It’s unlikely the Packers will find themselves in position to need an emergency quarterback, but they would turn to running back Josh Jacobs or receiver Jayden Reed if they do.
Neither would have much preparation for the position given how few practice reps the Packers provide for an emergency quarterback throughout the year.
“I would say pretty minimally,” LaFleur said. “I mean, I think that’s standard throughout the course of most teams I’ve been on. If you have to get to that situation, it’s pretty dire, obviously. I mean, San Fran, I know, in the (2023 NFC championship game against Philadelphia) was almost to that point, and did Brock (Purdy) go back in or whatever, couldn’t really throw the ball. It’s not a great situation to be in, but certainly you spend a little bit of time just working through the mechanics of that. Because it’s not like you’re going to go out there and play defense the whole game. So you’re going to try to move the football, but it’s a less than ideal situation.”
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The 49ers used running back Christian McCaffrey and fullback Kyle Juszcyk as emergency quarterbacks in what became a blowout loss at the Eagles with a Super Bowl on the line, perhaps the most notorious use of the unlikely role. Purdy also returned to that game after injuring his elbow when backup Josh Johnson left with a concussion, though he couldn’t throw.
LaFleur said he has certain criteria for deciding his emergency quarterback, even if it’s unlikely they’ll ever be used.
“A lot of it is just based on guys,” LaFleur said, “what they’ve done in their past. A lot of these guys that we have, have been high school quarterbacks, have maybe dabbled with some Wildcat stuff. So there are some options there. We have multiple guys who have that in their past.”
Matt LaFleur modifies Christmas Day schedule to provide ‘quality time’ with families
The Packers altered their Christmas Day schedule to accommodate families, but they will be working on the holiday.
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Most of the morning will be spent at home before the team commences meetings at 11 a.m. The Packers will have a “condensed” practice on what will be the typical Friday of their game week.
“We’re still going to treat it like a Friday,” LaFleur said. “It’s modified, but I think it’s important for really all these guys. I’m sure our players have family in town. To spend some quality time with their family is a good thing.”
LaFleur said it will be an especially early Christmas at his home before he jets off to Lambeau Field.
“I’m sure we’ll be getting up early in my house and opening presents,” LaFleur said. “About the minute we’re done doing that we’ll be back in the office. I don’t think my wife thought I was a good boy this year, so I don’t think she got me anything. I was on the naughty list.”
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers quarterback situation remains fluid; Jordan Love to practice