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The 2022 NFL season has, thus far, been one to forget for the Green Bay Packers and head coach Matt LaFleur. Though they picked up a big win over the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday, the Packers sit at just 4-6 on the year and 4.5 games back of the Minnesota Vikings for the lead in the NFC North.
Even after the big win, Green Bay made some significant roster moves. The Packers cut ties with return man Amari Rodgers, who had a key fumble against the Cowboys. They also let go of backup running back Kylin Hill, whom the team used a seventh-round draft pick on in 2021. Hill had played sparingly prior to his release. The Mississippi State product appeared in just two games and had only one carry for seven yards.
But according to LaFleur, the decision to cut ties with the running back came down to much more than just his play on the field.
Packers Coach Matt LaFleur Says Kylin Hill Didn’t Meet The Standards Of Being A Green Bay Packers Player
Normally, when a coach is asked about a decision to cut a player, the answer involves platitudes and generic well-wishes for the player moving forward. But that wasn’t the case with LaFleur and Hill. Instead, the Packers coach used the opportunity to throw a little bit of shade in Hill’s direction.
“Being a member of the Green Bay Packers, it’s a privilege,” LaFleur said. “There are standards and expectations that are placed on every member of this team that we expect guys to live up to. I appreciate what Kylin’s been through, I know it hasn’t been easy coming back from that knee injury that he suffered a year ago, that was pretty devastating. He’s a guy we had high expectations for, and realize he’s in a loaded room, but regardless of your role big or small, we expect guys to come to work and be supportive and own that role to the best of your ability. If you don’t do that, that’s what happened.” – via Pro Football Talk
LaFleur then said that the decision to cut Hill was more due to issues away from the field than it was the kind of football player he was. On the flip side, LaFleur praised Rodgers’ work ethic.
Conversely, Amari Rodgers' release was obviously about the fumbles. From a work standpoint, LaFleur said Rodgers did everything they asked but maybe a fresh start somewhere else will be best.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) November 15, 2022
Not a great look for the young running back.