GREEN BAY, Wis. (WSAW) – Matt LaFleur and Robert Saleh have a history that goes beyond football. LaFleur was Saleh’s best man in his wedding. The Packers head coach implicitly trusts Saleh, who was recently fired as the head coach of the New York Jets. So why not get his assessment of this team?

Saleh and LaFleur were graduate assistants together at Central Michigan, but the bond has never broken. LaFleur said he reached out to Saleh after he was fired, saying if he wanted to stay connected to the game, he could do it in Green Bay.

Lafleur says Saleh’s role is fluid in Titletown, but he’ll be helping the Packers’ offense through his defensive lens.

“I think it’s a good opportunity for him to learn and also for him to help us and give us perspective on how teams might see us, how they might defend us,” says LaFleur. “Certainly can find holes and some vulnerabilities in the defense that we’re playing. So yeah, that’s how we’re going to use him.”

Saleh’s visit is not only beneficial with the coaches, but players, as well

“I think that’s always the goal is to have the best minds, the best coaches and everything so having a guy like Saleh around definitely helps,” says Jordan Love, on having Robert Saleh at practice.

“Just adding another great coach to a great staff that we already had I’m sure it’ll be good just to have him in the building,” says Packers safety Xavier McKinney. “I’m sure he’s going to help us in any way he can and it’s just good to have him be a part of the team now.”

Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has his own connection to Saleh. They were on the 49ers staff when Saleh was their defensive coordinator.

Saleh does not have an official role with the Packers. However, he will return to Packers practice on Thursday, October 24th.

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