Matt LaFleur talks about how Packers will use Jayden Reed upon his return

GREEN BAY – Before his team’s pivotal Week 14 matchup against the NFC leader Chicago Bears, Matt LaFleur spoke with the media Dec. 3. Here are some highlights from the Green Bay Packers coach:

Jayden Reed’s return will bring versatility, playmaking, ‘dog’ mentality

It’s unclear if Jayden Reed will make his return from foot and collarbone surgeries this week, but LaFleur knows what to expect from his third-year receiver whenever he’s back on the field.

“No. 1,” LaFleur said, “he’s got a ton of experience. You guys see how we’ve used him in the past in regards to moving him all over the place. There’s a lot of things that he brings to our team just in regards to he’s a YAC [yards after catch] machine. He really does a really good job whether it’s handing him the ball, flipping him a screen, getting him downfield in a pass concept.

“He does a really good job after the catch, but I think it’s all the little things that he does when he’s not playing with the football in regards to just the dog mentality that he brings to our offense. He’s always doing a lot of the dirty work, digging out safeties, just competing to the highest level.”

Reed is expected to practice Dec. 3. After ruling him out last week against the Detroit Lions, the Packers will see how much progress he’s made before deciding if Reed will play against the Bears.

Packers and Bears will become very familiar in December

In their seven seasons with LaFleur as head coach, the Packers never have played the same team twice in three weeks.

That will change with the Packers hosting the Bears two weeks before traveling to Chicago. LaFleur and counterpart Ben Johnson will have to prepare two game plans for the same opponent in rapid succession, balancing the need to win both games.

“Well,” LaFleur said, “you only show half your game plan.”

Jokes aside, LaFleur acknowledged it’s an unusual challenge.

“It’s a unique deal,” LaFleur said. “I don’t think it’s happened to us very much. I think there’s a little bit of an unknown to that, but it is what it is. Every week is a new week in this league, and there’s a lot of smart people in this league, players and coaches. Basically, all you’ve got to do is, you’ve got to find a way to win one game. Just know there’s going to be adjustments, just like there’s adjustments in game. You have to stay ahead of your competition.”

Matt LaFleur knows these Bears don’t suck

The Packers don’t need to be reminded these Bears don’t suck. A year ago, the Bears left Lambeau Field with a win.

But the Bears are certainly different than that 2024 group that finished 5-12 and at the bottom of the NFC North. LaFleur highlighted a few areas that have led Chicago to the NFC’s best record at 9-3.

“The first thing that jumps out,” LaFleur said, “is offensively they’re doing a great job of taking care of the football. Defensively, they’re doing a great job of getting the takeaways. They’ve always done a nice job – I think [general manager Ryan] Poles has done a hell of a job of collecting a bunch of talent. I think the quarterback is playing a lot better. Obviously, their run game is humming right now, and defensively they’re a problem in regards to I think they do such a good job of presenting similar looks and having different concepts off those looks. Just in terms of the offense and defense, I just think they’ve made a lot of progress.”

Winning the football will be especially important in this matchup.

The Bears don’t just lead the NFL with a plus-17 turnover margin. They’re eight turnovers ahead of a collection of teams that rank second at plus-nine. The Packers are merely plus-four.

Chicago’s 26 takeaways are four more than any other team in the NFL. Only four teams, including the Packers, have fewer than their nine turnovers. The Packers lead the league with just seven turnovers this season.

This article originally appeared on Packers News: Matt LaFleur talks about how Packers will use Jayden Reed upon return