Packers’ Matt LaFleur Sends Strong Message on DT Devonte Wyatt Before Cowboys Game
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The Green Bay Packers defense has not missed a beat despite Devonte Wyatt taking over for Kenny Clark.
Micah Parsons may command the headlines for the Green Bay Packers defense, but
LaFleur offered high praise for DeVonte Wyatt in his efforts during the young season while replacing defensive tackle Kenny Clark, who Green Bay traded for Parsons on Aug. 28.
Wyatt has five tackles, two sacks and two passes defended in Green Bay’s 2-1 start this season, posting a 71.5 grade per Pro-Football Focus — the 30th-best mark out of 120 qualifying interior defensive linemen this season.
Wyatt will try to keep that great play going against Clark and the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in Arlington, Texas.
Devonte Wyatt is ‘Playing At A High Level’
Wyatt, a first-round pick of the Packers from the 2022 NFL Draft, has started just eight games in his career — three of which have come this year.
Yet, the fact he has been so successful as Green Bay’s primary interion D-lineman isn’t surprising to LaFleur, who saw his leap start in 2024 and continue while Wyatt has played 68 percent of the team’s defensive snaps — he had previously never played more than 50 percent in any single season.
“I think he’s been trending that way, even going back to last year,” LaFleur said. “Certainly, he’s getting more opportunities now, and he’s taking advantage of those.”
Yet, when pressed to detail what has made Wyatt successful, LaFleur had a relatively simple answer.
“I think it’s just playing the game. The more you play it the more you learn,” LaFleur said before going deeper by saying “he’s playing fast, he’s playing at a high level. He’s going a great job fundamentally, just getting off the football, playing with his hands, defeating blocks.”
Perhaps it was Wyatt’s ascent that made Green Bay willing to part with Clark, a three-time Pro Bowler who also was a first-round pick of the Packers in 2016, in the deal for Parsons. Of course, Parsons has put his stamp on the Green Bay defense by posting 1.5 sacks since the trade.
But Wyatt’s success has been keeping the Packers’ exceptional run defense playing at a high level. Green Bay ranked seventh in the NFL in rushing-yards against (99.3) in 2024 yet ranks third in three games (64.3) while allowing the fewest points-against per game (14.7).
“Just really happy with his progress,” LaFleur said.
Matt LaFleur Expects Kenny Clark To Be ‘A Handful’
The Packers are perceived as the better team, since Dallas is just a come-from-behind OT win over the lowly
But LaFleur still expects his former DT to haunt the Packers offense Sunday night.
“He looks really good like he did when he was here,” LaFleur said. “He’s gonna be a handful.”
LaFleur coached him until the trade, and he spoke to what makes Clark special as a player and person.
“I think Kenny is a pro’s pro,” LaFleur said. “I’ve got so much respect for him, as much as anybody that I’ve been around in this game in terms of his approach, his team-first mentality, his willingness to help others and bring guys along. He wasn’t the most vocal guy, but when he talked everybody listened.”
New Orleans Saints Face the Risk of Losing Super Bowl 2031 Due to Stadium Lease Issues
New Orleans, Louisiana – With their current lease only lasting until 2030, the New Orleans Saints are facing a serious issue regarding their stadium. Caesars Superdome, which the team has called their "home" for decades, may no longer be the venue for major sporting events, including
The Pressure of a Short-Term Lease
Currently, the Saints have a lease that expires in 2030. This poses a significant challenge as the city of New Orleans hopes to bid for
However, a short-term lease is not enough to convince the NFL or Super Bowl organizers of the long-term stability and reliability of the Superdome’s facilities. The team and city officials are under pressure to resolve this issue before the contract expires at the end of the decade.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
Failing to address this issue could cause New Orleans to lose out on the chance to host one of the world’s most significant sporting events. The Super Bowl is not only the biggest game of the NFL season but also an event that attracts global attention. Hosting the event at Caesars Superdome would not only be a great honor for the team but also a powerful boost to the local tourism and economy.
Experts argue that a long-term agreement is crucial not only to maintain the ability to host the Super Bowl but also to preserve the city’s reputation within the international sports community. Cities like Miami and Los Angeles already have long-term agreements with their stadiums, which allows them to remain flexible in hosting large-scale sporting events without facing instability.
Saints and City Officials Face a Major Challenge
Currently, the stadium lease issue is a hot topic in negotiations between the New Orleans Saints and the management of Caesars Superdome. To resolve this issue, the team needs to find a satisfactory solution with stakeholders, including renegotiating the lease and committing to investments in upgrading facilities to meet the requirements for hosting the Super Bowl and other international events.
The city of New Orleans is also pushing for these discussions, hoping they can sign a long-term deal to help maintain the city’s position as a prime destination for major sports events.
However, if this issue is not resolved in time, New Orleans could lose one of its greatest opportunities to promote its brand. With fierce competition from other major cities, hosting
Conclusion
The current challenge for the New Orleans Saints is not just about the stadium lease agreement; it’s also a significant opportunity for the city to reaffirm its place on the global sports map. If they cannot find a viable solution to extend the lease with Caesars Superdome, New Orleans risks losing the chance to host
