Matt LaFleur didn’t hide his optimism for the 2026 Green Bay Packers at the start of training camp as he enters his eighth season as head coach.
“I told the team yesterday, this is as excited as I’ve ever been coaching this football team in my time here,” LaFleur said July 29. “And it’s because of the people we have in the room. I mean, players, coaches, support staff, everybody. So, we’re just ready to go.”
That comment got the attention of former Packers All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari.
Bakhtiari responded to the video of LaFleur at the podium with a “You Sure About That” GIF on X.
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Bakhtiari played for LaFleur from 2019 to 2023, including on two teams that advanced to the NFC Championship Game.
The 34-year-old earned five All-Pro honors across his 11 NFL seasons with the Packers but a series of leg injuries derailed his career.
LaFleur has guided the Packers to the playoffs in six of seven seasons with the 2022 campaign the only year that Green Bay didn’t qualify.
However, after losing in the wild card round of the playoffs for a second straight season in 2025, many wondered if LaFleur would be back in Green Bay. But that was put to rest when he received a contract extension in the weeks after the season ended.
LaFleur will again call the plays for the Jordan Love-led offense, but there are new coordinators on defense and special teams. Jonathan Gannon has replaced Jeff Hafley on defense and Cam Achord has replaced Rich Bisaccia on special teams.
The Packers began the first of 13 training camp practices on Wednesday, July 29.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: David Bakhtiari puzzled by Matt LaFleur’s training camp comment
Reporting by Christopher Kuhagen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Christopher Kuhagen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
