Veteran Packers assistant coach returns amid staff changes, according to a source.
Green Bay — This season, the Green Bay Packers’ quarterbacks meeting room will include a young new face.
But a recognizable, seasoned face will return as well.
Although coach Matt LaFleur has added recently retired quarterback Sean Mannion to the offensive staff, an NFL source confirmed Monday that longtime quarterbacks coach Tom Clements, who turns 71 in June, will return for the 2024 season.
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst hints at a long-term extension for his handpicked quarterback.
Clements, who has tutored Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and now Jordan Love, was unsure about staying next year late in the season, but according to the source, he has elected to stay for another season, his third on LaFleur’s staff.
Clements, who coached Favre in 2006 and 2007, Rodgers from 2006 to 2016, and Rodgers and Love together in 2022, contributed to Love’s speedy improvement as a first-year starter last season.
“He’s been doing this for a while. I believe he has earned the right to make whatever decision is best for him and his family,” LaFleur said during his end-of-season Q&A session with reporters on Jan. 22, following the team’s 24-21 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC divisional playoff round. “Certainly, he made a significant sacrifice by leaving California and moving to Green Bay. But, man, I can’t say enough about the man, the coach, and what he means to us.
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst does not foresee significant defensive personnel moves.
“I had no idea what we were getting ourselves into two years ago, but I believe we’re all better off with Tom around. I believe that having Tom around has improved my coaching abilities. I believe our guys benefited from having Tom around. He’s a fantastic man, coach, and friend.”
Mannion’s title is unclear at this time, but he will work with the quarterbacks and the Packers’ passing game, according to a source.
Mannion, a 43-game starter at Oregon State, was drafted in the third round by the St. Louis Rams in 2015 and spent nine seasons in the league, primarily as a backup.
Mannion appeared in 14 games with three starts throughout his playing career and was on the practice squads of the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks in 2023, but did not see any game action.
His time with the Seahawks late in the 2023 season was his third job in Seattle, where general manager John Schneider projected in 2022 that Mannion “is probably going to end up being a head coach in this league at some point.” He’s like an extra coach for Geno (Smith) and Drew (Lock).”
Mannion told The Seattle Times at the time that he hoped to pursue coaching after his playing career ended.
