Die Anpflanzler [DA] » Matt LaFleur has been named head coach of the

GREEN BAY Will Grier Jersey , Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers, the team announced Tuesday night, confirming multiple reports from a day earlier.The 39-year-old LaFleur spent this season as offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans, his first calling plays in the NFL. Before that, he was offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams in 2017, helping direct a high-powered offense with coach Sean McVay calling plays.LaFleur takes over for Mike McCarthy Christian Miller Jersey , who was fired during the season following a stunning home loss to Arizona on Dec. 2. Joe Philbin went 2-2 as Green Bay’s interim coach. LaFleur will be charged with returning the Packers to the playoffs after the team slipped into mediocrity in McCarthy’s final two seasons and the coach’s relationship with quarterback Aaron Rodgers grew tenuous.“We are very excited to welcome Matt as the next head coach of the Green Bay Packers,” team president Mark Murphy said in a statement. “We found a coach with the background and experience that we think will get us back to playing winning football. We’re also excited about the person — he is bright with a great work ethic and a perfect fit for Green Bay and the organization.”LaFleur’s 10 years of NFL coaching experience also include stints as an assistant with Atlanta, Washington and Houston.He will be introduced at a news conference Wednesday in Green Bay. Panthers coach Ron Rivera was asked about some of his aging stars yesterday, and how glad he was to get them a win in an otherwise meaningless season finale.“It was probably the best way to send Ryan and Pep on their way,” Rivera said, of Ryan Kalil and Julius Peppers Jordan Scarlett Jersey , via Joe Person of . “Two great Panthers. It’s kind of nice for them.”There’s only one problem with that statement. Kalil had already announced he was retiring at season’s end. Peppers did no such thing. In fact, those close to the future Hall of Fame defensive end tell PFT that he is seriously contemplating a return for an 18th season in 2019.He didn’t speak to reporters after the game, and Rivera admitted he might have been spitballing.“I’m assuming,” Rivera said. “Maybe there’s something I don’t know. So, we’ll see. I just really do appreciate who those two guys are.”The Panthers paid $5 million this year for five sacks from Peppers. That tracks along pretty well with his career production and pay, as he’s collected 159.5 sacks and made nearly $165 million in his career to do it.While his return to Carolina prior to the 2017 was seen as a last hurrah since he was returning to his home state (the Panthers drafted him second overall in 2002 out of the University of North Carolina) David Montgomery Jersey , that isn’t necessarily the case. He’s left Carolina before (for Chicago’s free agent riches in 2010, after an ugly franchise-tag battle with the Panthers), and might need to do it again.The Panthers are in need of a pass-rush upgrade this offseason, with or without Peppers. But Rivera speaking as if the team has moved on may mean the team has, even if Peppers hasn’t quite yet. Or, Rivera might have just been a little loose with his words. That has happened before too.Peppers’ sack total sits half a sack short of Kevin Greene for third place on the all-time list. He may try to move up a spot next year Riley Ridley Jersey , even if the Panthers have moved on.