Is Matt LaFleur Related to Mike LaFleur? Exploring Connection Between Packers HC & NFL OC

In the NFL coaching profession, it is sometimes the family that is the most interesting storyline. Come to Matt LaFleur and Mike LaFleur, two coaches who happen to be running VERY competitive seasons with both their teams. And there’s more than X’s and O’s to talk about with Matt, the longtime Green Bay Packers head coach, and Mike, the Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator. It isn’t only their playbook and their coaching that has these two in a more meaningful relationship.

Their teams might be on opposing sides come game day, but their mutual affinity is less a game of matchup than a mutual bond. Their professions have been uncannily intertwined, and they have the same burning will to win, the same love of football, and maybe some sibling rivalry on the surface. What happens when the two collide, as head coaches of respective clubs with bonds deeply rooted in football? It’s a tale of two coaches with an accident-of-chance connection that just gives this game some extra kicks.

Mike and Matt LaFleur: A tale of a blood trade

Oh yes, you heard that right—Matt and Mike LaFleur are brothers. Both born in 1980 and 1987, Matt’s the older, and they both have had great NFL coaching careers. Matt made his name coaching the Green Bay Packers and he’s held the team in line with each year since. Mike on the other hand came to the league as a quarterbacks coach with the San Francisco 49ers, before moving on to be the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets and now Los Angeles Rams.

Matt and Mike LaFleur have faced off six times in the NFL, Matt is 2-4 against his younger brother’s teams. It’s a brother rivalry off the field, with the LaFleur parents neutral and having a good laugh about who’s on the bubble (though Matt does have a little bit of an edge, he bought them a house in Green Bay). The brothers are both coaches who began at lower levels before. Matt is now head coach of the Packers, and he’s run by calls and has leadership; Mike is the offensive coordinator for the Rams. But Mike isn’t going to be Matt’s assistant anytime soon, stating the load of a play-calling head coach isn’t going to stop him from getting one. Family dynamics? And just to make a long story short, it’s all in good fun–up until they’re on the other side of the table.

The LaFleurs have always been close despite years of sitting on opposite ends of the NFL coaching spectrum. “We’re as close as any two brothers, especially in this league, could be,” Matt says, and you can see that when they stay in touch on gameday because they are rivals. Mike is laid-back, he said once about the family: “They like me more, so it’s an easy answer” when asked which son their parents support. But when it’s all work and no play, Mike’s straight: “I don’t even think about it during the week. You’re worried about yourself, worried about the opponent.”

The LaFleur brothers have a different relationship than the NFL, however competitive. The dynamic is founded on trust, but also a fair share of brotherly competition. “I’m always pulling for him. I’m always trying to help him—except for when we play each other,” Matt lets it be known that they are also very emotionally connected. That respect goes to the core of their careers and you see it on and off the field.

Although for the upcoming game, Packers vs Rams, not only is this game a LaFleurs meets LaFleurs encounter, it’s a bonding moment as well. As Mike puts it: “We’re still talking. We’re just not talking about X’s and O’s obviously.” Game day, to the LaFleur, is two sons doing their own thing, and though it’s competitive, they are also inseparable because of this kind of respect. “I feel like too many times I’ve been on the wrong side of things — and that’s a tough pill to swallow for letting the little brother win,” Matt reveals. But even in the sibling competition, the LaFleurs are both going to play their hearts out on game day.

The Packers and the Rams: A closer look at both teams

Now let’s talk stats. Matt’s Packers have been on a rollercoaster. They were 11-6 during the regular season, fighting back to make the playoffs from a downed position. Jordan Love, meanwhile, still transitioning to his position as the franchise quarterback, had his ups and downs. Love had 25 TD’s and 11 INTs in his last four games, and threw for 63.1% of his yards on 3,389 attempts. He didn’t do much in his postseason debut against the Eagles, though, as Love threw three interceptions in the 22-10 Wild Card defeat. “They aren’t done yet with their transition phase, but Love’s growth is still their foundation.”

Mike’s Rams, meanwhile, rebounded from the bad to also go 10-7 and take the NFC West. They had a year to remember, but exploded in the postseason, beating the Vikings 27-9. Matthew Stafford was on fire with 209 ypgs and 2 TDs and showed we have plenty more in him. The real story was on defense with the Rams recording nine sacks and holding Minnesota to a single-digit number. The Rams have their eyes set on the trophy and with Stafford back on top of his health and a defense going everything in its stride, Mike’s team could be a threat to get it done this postseason.

Both teams played tough, but while the Packers collapsed when it came time for playoffs, the Rams showed that they’re built for January.

The Packers and Rams have had a season, which is shown by their placement on a bunch of important numbers. The Packers have been 7th in yards per game and 6th in rushing yards; the Rams follow on 15th and 24th respectively. Neither team wants to be irrelevant and Green Bay’s young quarterback Jordan Love and the Rams’ superstar, Matthew Stafford, both must come up. The brother rivalry between Matt and Mike LaFleur adds only more heat to this game in which only a win can secure a playoff spot.

One coach trying to beat the other in front of their families, their teams, and the NFL world. As Matt LaFleur puts it, “We’re as close as any two brothers, especially in this league,” but come Sunday, all that closeness will be put aside as they battle it out on the field.