Tom Clements, the revered quarterbacks coach for the Green Bay Packers, has announced his retirement. This marks either his second or third retirement, depending on how he views his career transitions. Clements leaves a legacy of having coached some of the NFL's most prominent quarterbacks, including Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and Jordan Love. His departure signals a new chapter for the Packers and their evolving quarterback, Jordan Love.
Clements' coaching journey began with the New Orleans Saints and extended to the Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Buffalo Bills before his impactful tenure with the Packers. He initially joined Green Bay in 2006 as the quarterbacks coach under Mike McCarthy. After leaving the Packers post-2016 season, Clements took a brief hiatus from coaching until the Arizona Cardinals enlisted his expertise in 2019 to work with Kyler Murray. Under Clements' guidance, Murray secured the Offensive Rookie of the Year title that same year.
In 2022, Clements made his return to Green Bay following Luke Getsy's transition to the Chicago Bears as offensive coordinator. His return was marked by a renewed focus on developing Jordan Love, an ascending talent whom head coach Matt LaFleur believes will continue to improve.
"I think that just kind of comes with the position naturally," – LaFleur
LaFleur emphasized Love's growing leadership role within the team, noting that assuming a more vocal presence is the next step in Love's evolution as a quarterback. Love is now tasked with taking on this role without Clements by his side, a challenge LaFleur acknowledges but remains optimistic about.
"I think he's taken steps to get there, but I think he can really demand a lot because the locker room respects him. And they respect him not only as a person but by the work he puts in. He's a grinder. He's one of the guys; I think that's one of his best qualities is he is one of the guys." – LaFleur
"They all respect him, but I think, when things aren't quite right, I think he can voice that as well. When guys aren't quite doing what they're supposed to be doing, and he's one of the guys to talk to [them] about that. I just think it means more when it comes from your quarterback than it does from me or one of our other coaches." – LaFleur
As Clements steps away from the sidelines, the Packers have several in-house candidates to potentially fill his role. Among them are assistant quarterbacks coach Connor Lewis and former NFL quarterback Sean Mannion.
Clements' own reflections on retirement have been candid. In a 2023 interview with ESPN, he humorously remarked that if he was retired after his first stint in Green Bay, then he was "retired, retired" after concluding his time with Arizona in 2020.
"I think the next step is just to continue to evolve as a vocal leader," – LaFleur
LaFleur's confidence in Love's potential remains steadfast as he continues to support Love's development both on and off the field.
"Do I think I can help him out and be better? Absolutely. Do I think we can play better around him? Absolutely." – LaFleur
"Man, it's been a cool ride with him for the last three years," – LaFleur
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