As we all know, Green Bay Packers Jordan Love left the game this past weekend with a concussion, and Malik Willis sustained an injury late in the same game. I know those bits of information, and then I saw 44-year-old, just-off-the-couch Philip Rivers go for 277 yards and 2 TDs on Monday Night Football, so my brain started wondering. If Matt LaFleur didn’t have a healthy QB he liked going into this weekend, who would he call?
So I went combing through Matt LaFleur’s stops as a coach to find a candidate. (Quick note: when I say “LaFleur coached this player for X number of years,” that’s the number of years the player took a regular-season snap under LaFleur.)
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 19: Rex Grossman #8 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins 33-30. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) Getty Images
LaFleur coached Grossman for a year in Washington (2011). Did you know that Rex Grossman is only 1 year older than Philip Rivers? It’s true! That was Grossman’s last year in the league. He completed 57.9% of his passes, threw for 3,151 yards, 16 TDs and 20 INTs.
Ol’ Sexy Rexy is currently the CEO of Florida Medical Staffing, a staffing agency for RNs, LPNs, Respiratory & Physical Therapists.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – OCTOBER 04: Former NFL player Robert Griffin III walks the field during warmups before the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Colorado Buffaloes at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 4, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) Getty Images
LaFleur coached RGIII for 2 years in Washington (2012-2013). You’ve likely heard him in the booth while watching college football. I know I heard him recently paired with the GOAT, Jason Benetti.
2012 was Griffin’s rookie season, and he was tremendous before his knee injury, but he was never quite the same. We last saw him in NFL action in 2020, going 8/14 for 42 yards and 2 INTs for the Ravens.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 03: Former quarterback Matt Ryan looks on during the Ring of Honor ceremony at halftime of the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 03, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) Getty Images
Younger than Rivers by a solid 4 years. LaFleur coached Ryan for 2 years in Atlanta (2015-2016). Ryan won the MVP in 2016, completing 69.9% of his passes for 4,944 yards, 38 TDs and 7 INTs.
We last saw him starting for the Colts in 2022, completing 67% of his passes for 3,057 yards, 14 TDs and 13 INTs.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 13: Matt Schaub #8 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on December 13, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) Getty Images
He’s the same age as Rivers! That’s wild! LaFleur coached Schaub for 1 year in Atlanta (2016). In that season, Schaub went 1/3 for 16 yards.
Schaub is, perhaps, best known as the player who holds the record for most consecutive games throwing a pick 6 (4). Maybe that’s not what he’s best known for, but it’s the first thing I think of, which is kind of a shame. He was a solid player for several years in Houston.
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 30: Sean Mannion #14 of the Los Angeles Rams takes the field in the fourth quarter agaisnt the San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 30, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Rams won 48-32. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) Getty Images
This is an easy one. Mannion is currently the QB Coach in Green Bay. LaFleur coached Mannion in 2017 with the Rams. In that season, Mannion went 22/37 for 185 yards, 0 TDs and 0 INTs. For his career, he was 67/110, 573 yards, 1 TD and 0 INTs. Real game manager.
You don’t even have to get this man off the couch. Just bring him a uniform and have him step between the lines of the field he is already standing on.
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 30: Blaine Gabbert #7 of the Tennessee Titans throws the ball against the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) Getty Images
LaFleur coached Gabbert for 1 year with the Titans (2018). Gabbert played in 8 games (starting 3) and went 61/101 for 626 yards, 4 TDs and 4 INTs. He was last in the league in 2023, winning a Super Bowl with the Chiefs at the ripe old age of 34. As near as I can tell, he is currently just enjoying retirement. Good for him.
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 18: Jason Pierre-Paul (90) of hte Buccaneers forces a fumble from Packers quarterback Tim Boyle (8) Billy Turner (77) attempts to block JPP during the regular season game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 18, 2020 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
LaFleur coached Boyle for 2 years in Green Bay (2019-2020). Across both seasons, he went 3/4 for 15 yards. He was waived by the Titans this past summer.
My favorite Boyle moment was him throwing a pick-6 off a Hail Mary with the Jets. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen that before.
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 21: Kurt Benkert #7 of the Green Bay Packers prepares to hand off the ball against the New York Jets in the first half of a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 21, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) Getty Images
LaFleur coached Benkert for 1 year (2021). In that year, Benkert appeared in 1 game and did not attempt a pass. He is currently a streamer and has a company (The Dime Lab) where he sells footballs and books.
GREEN BAY, WI – AUGUST 23: Green Bay Packers quarterback Sean Clifford (16) scrambles during a preseason game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks on August 23, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The youngest member of the group. LaFleur coached Clifford for 1 year (2023). Clifford did not attempt a pass in 2 games. He is currently on the Bengals practice squad.
If given your choice, who are you calling?
Albums listened to: Father John Misty – Mahashmashana; Fortitude Valley – Part of the Problem, Baby