Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Robert Saleh — who is doing consulting work for LaFleur and the Packers offense — provided a useful “nugget” that turned into a big play during Sunday’s win over the Chicago Bears.
According to LaFleur, Saleh suggested a concept after reviewing the Bears defense on tape, and the Packers put in the play into the plan and then executed it for a 25-yard completion to Christian Watson in the third quarter of Sunday’s 20-19 win at Soldier Field.
“That was one play that he wanted the general idea of that, so we implemented it, and it was pretty successful,” LaFleur said.
The explosive play set up the Packers’ go-ahead touchdown run from running back Josh Jacobs. On the play, Watson faked a “stalk” block on the linebacker and then took off on a delayed slot fade, and Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson — who was covering Romeo Doubs on an out-and-up route — didn’t have enough time to get into position to defend the throw from Jordan Love. Watson made the catch inside the 10, and Jacobs scored on the next play to give the Packers a 14-13 lead.
It’s clear Saleh saw something in the tape of the Bears coverage that led him to believe that Johnson would carry the deep post and open up a chance to hit the deep shot into the vacated space.
LaFleur said Saleh — who consults during the work week through Friday — is still only working with the offense.
“He’s doing a great job. He always gives us a nugget,” LaFleur said. “He’s been a great asset.”
The New York Jets fired Saleh — a close friend of LaFleur’s — on Oct. 8. He’s been in helping in Green Bay off and on for the better part of the last month.