DC Packers Mike Pettine not returning for 2021 season



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Mike Pettine’s time with the Green Bay Packers has come to an end.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on Friday, via an informed source, that the defensive coordinator’s contract is expiring and the team have no plans to retain him for the 2021 season.

Pettine, 54, is the Packers’ latest coach to seek a new job after the team parted ways with special teams coordinator Shawn Mennenga on Wednesday. Green Bay officially announced Friday that Pettine and Mennenga would not return.

“We want to thank Mike for his commitment to the Packers over the past three seasons. He has been instrumental in our success,” coach Matt LaFleur said in a statement. “As a head coach for the first time, he has also been an invaluable resource for us during our time together. We wish Mike, Megan and the rest of their family the best for us going forward.”

Green Bay’s magical season ended in the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Championship game. The inconsistent effort displayed by Pettine’s unit during this game served as a microcosm of the concerns that plagued the D-Packers over the past two seasons.

The Packers surrendered four touchdowns against the Bucs, including a crucial 39-yard scoreline from Scott Miller just before halftime that extended Tampa’s lead from four to 11. Pettine’s field limited running play. (76 yards) and recorded three interceptions, but was unable to make it. generate a lot of pressure against Tom Brady (one sack, four hits).

Mistakes such as allowing the quick Miller to set fire to Kevin King, who struggled throughout the contest, in covering the men with a second to play on the clock could have provided the catalyst for Pettine’s ouster. . King also taped the pivot pass interference call – again in men’s coverage, but this time against rookie Tyler Johnson – which kept the Bucs’ last practice alive and helped them secure the victory.

Since the conclusion of last season’s NFC title game, which Green Bay lost 37-20 to the 49ers, questions have started to mount regarding Pettine’s time with the franchise. He has been criticized for failing to adjust his game plan in an effort to contain Raheem Mostert (220 rushing yards) and San Francisco’s devastating running game. LaFleur said a few days later that the team “were still working on everything” regarding Pettine and the rest of the staff.

Obviously, the decision has been made to retain Pettine, who has not signed a new contract as this season approaches. Green Bay finished the year seventh in passing defense (221.2) and tied for 13th in points (23.1) and running defense (112.8).

The Packers are also tied for 10th in bags (41), of which 12.5 are from Za’Darius Smith, and are in the bottom seven for take out (18). Smith and lockdown corner Jaire Alexander will represent Green Bay at the Pro Bowl.

The Packers ranked in the top 15 in defense, takeaways and total defense in 2018, but were among the tightest in the NFL in 2019. The team finished ninth, seventh (tied) and 18th in these respective categories that season.

The 2020 campaign was Pettine’s 19th in the NFL. Since joining the Ravens as an assistant coach in 2002, he has spent time coaching in Baltimore, DC with the Jets and Bills and as head coach of the Browns in 2014 and 2015.



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