{"id":838597,"date":"2026-03-28T07:20:27","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T07:20:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/838597\/"},"modified":"2026-03-28T07:20:27","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T07:20:27","slug":"nfl-legend-joe-thomas-urges-jordan-love-to-make-one-demand-of-matt-lafleur-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/838597\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL Legend Joe Thomas Urges Jordan Love To Make One Demand Of Matt LaFleur In 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Green Bay Packers<\/a> are coming off a disappointing 2025 NFL season. After starting the season 5-1-1, the Packers went just 4-6 down the stretch. They saw their long-time rival Chicago Bears<\/a> win the NFC North and knock them out of the NFL Playoffs. Additionally, Green Bay lost numerous players to injury throughout the course of the year, which played a part in their late-season struggles.<\/p>\n

In 2026, the team is going to look very different. Numerous players left via NFL free agency, and both the offense and defense will feature new\/younger starters\/contributors.<\/p>\n

But if they are to take the next step in the Jordan Love<\/a> era, Wisconsin Badgers<\/a> and NFL legend Joe Thomas<\/a> thinks the star quarterback needs to make a specific demand.<\/p>\n

Joe Thomas believes Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love needs to demand Matt LaFleur let him have the ball
\n\"GreenGreen Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) is greeted by head coach Matt LaFleur after throwing a touchdown pass during the first quarter of their game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, October 13, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Love has been the starting quarterback in Green Bay for three seasons now. Each year, the Packers have made the NFL Playoffs as the seventh seed. In order for them to take the next step, Thomas believes Love needs to demand that head coach Matt LaFleur let him have the ball:<\/p>\n

\u201cHe needs to go into Matt LaFleur\u2019s office and let him know, \u2018I want the football\u2019.\u201d@joethomas73<\/a> thinks #Packers<\/a> QB Jordan Love NEEDS to demand more trust and responsibility from his head coach.@WildeAndTausch<\/a> | @ESPNMilwaukee<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/n30DpHPa0k<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ESPN Madison (@ESPNMadison) March 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cJordan Love needs to take that step in accountability and leadership and understand that he is a top-five quarterback in the NFL. And he needs to go into Matt LaFleur\u2019s office and let him know that, \u2018I want the football. I want to be able to throw the football and have a large input on what we\u2019re doing from a game plan standpoint and from an in-game adjustment stand point, from a play-call standpoint on the sidelines.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018I want to be treated with a level of responsibility and respect that Peyton Manning did, that Aaron Rodgers did, that Tom Brady did. Because if you want me to play like those guys, you\u2019ve got to give me those expectations and that leash.’\u201d<\/p>\n

Love has been very good as Green Bay\u2019s starting quarterback since taking over the offense in 2023. However, it is clear to see that the Packers are much more run-oriented with him under center than they were when Aaron Rodgers was the quarterback.<\/p>\n

In four seasons with LaFleur as his head coach, Rodgers averaged 542 passing attempts a year. In three seasons as the Packers starter, Love has averaged 481.<\/p>\n

Now, Rodgers never had Josh Jacobs as his running back, but the point stands: the NFL is a pass-first league now. If the Packers are to take the next step, the time has come for them to let Love lead them in the way the greats before him led.<\/p>\n

For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content<\/p>\n

Follow me on Twitter at\u00a0@theotherRobin19<\/a>\u00a0and follow us\u00a0@WiSportsHeroics<\/a>\u00a0for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports,\u00a0click here<\/a>!<\/p>\n

\t