Tom Clements has announced his retirement as the quarterbacks coach for the Green Bay Packers, concluding a distinguished 25-year career in the NFL that included coaching legends such as Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. Clements, 71, had recently returned to the Packers’ coaching staff in 2022 under head coach Matt LaFleur.
During a press conference on Tuesday, LaFleur expressed his admiration for Clements, stating, “It’s been a cool ride with him for the last three years. He’s incredibly consistent. What a great man, a great mind.” LaFleur highlighted Clements’ significant contributions to the organization, noting his role in the development of quarterbacks like Favre, Rodgers, and Jordan Love. “He will definitely be missed,” LaFleur added.
Clements began his coaching career after leading Notre Dame to a national championship in 1973 and playing 12 seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL), where he was named the league’s Most Valuable Player in 1987. His coaching journey included stints with the New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, and Pittsburgh Steelers, before he first joined the Packers in 2006. Clements played a pivotal role in Rodgers’ early career, helping him secure two MVP awards and guiding the team to its last Super Bowl victory in 2010. After a brief period away from coaching, he returned to Green Bay for Love’s initial seasons as the starting quarterback following Rodgers’ trade to the New York Jets.
Clements’ retirement was announced during LaFleur’s season-ending news conference, two days after the Packers’ disappointing 22-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC wild-card round. The defeat marked the end of a challenging season for the Packers, who struggled with turnovers. LaFleur acknowledged the team’s difficulties, stating, “You can’t have four turnovers in the game and expect to win.” He also addressed Love’s performance, emphasizing the need for him to develop as a vocal leader while praising his ability to avoid sacks and the challenges posed by dropped passes. Looking ahead, LaFleur expressed confidence in Love’s potential for growth, stating, “I think he is an ascending player that is going to get better and better.”
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