Matt LaFleur Says Packers Need to Create More 'Explosive Plays' on Offense

While some viewed the Green Bay Packers' offseason moves as a way to emphasize the running game more, head coach Matt LaFleur made it clear he wants his offense to retain the ability to make big plays. 

"One area we really need to improve on is creating more explosive plays," LaFleur said Thursday on Wilde & Tausch (h/t ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky). "We were pretty efficient ... but were 23rd in explosive plays. That starts with play-calling [and] maybe take a few more chances to help generate those plays down the field."

While Jordan Love isn't expected to make an immediate impact for the Packers, Demovsky and The Athletic's Bob McGinn thought the message was clear from Green Bay using the 26th overall pick on a quarterback: LaFleur wants to build the offense in his image and rely less on Aaron Rodgers.

During Thursday's interview, LaFleur said his relationship with Aaron Rodgers hasn't become strained because of the draft:

LaFleur's comments about "explosive plays" go beyond just the arrival of Love and are seemingly at odds with what else the team did to address the offense.

Green Bay selected Boston College running back A.J. Dillon in the second round and then Cincinnati tight end Josiah Deguara in the third round.

Not only did the Packers ignore a loaded class of wide receivers, but they also largely ignored the position in free agency. Devin Funchess is their biggest outside addition.

Davante Adams is coming off his third straight Pro Bowl, so nobody has any doubts about what he'll contribute in 2020. Based on what LaFleur said, perhaps the team is expecting to utilize Allen Lazard or Marquez Valdes-Scantling in different ways to bring a new dimension to the passing game.