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Before his older brother Matt was hired by the Green Bay Packers this week, San Francisco 49ers receivers coach/passing game coordinator Mike LaFleur was just an average joe. Now, however, he’s quite the popular guy, but his current employer is telling everyone that he’s not available.
Packers and HC Matt LaFleur were denied permission to interview/hire younger brother, Mike LaFleur, the 49ers’ WR/passing-game specialist. 49ers told Packers, Browns and Vikings no on talking to Mike LaFleur. Also rejected interview requests on Mike McDaniel and Rich Scangarello.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2019
Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that the Minnesota Vikings are one of three teams that were denied permission to speak to the younger LaFleur by the 49ers. The Packers and the Cleveland Browns were also denied permission to bring him in for an interview.
It hasn’t been made clear in what capacity the Vikings might have been interested in having Mike LaFleur fill on their coaching staff. The only currently known openings for the Vikings are the offensive line coach position and the special teams coach, neither of which it would appear Mike LaFleur would be a fit for at first glance. The Vikings don’t have a specific “run game coordinator” or “pass game coordinator” on their staff as many NFL teams do today, so maybe that would have been what the interview was for.
However, we’ll likely never know what the Vikings’ interest in bringing in Mike LaFleur would have been. There was interest, however.
Also, for purposes of context. . .and apologies for the awful quality, but it’s the only version of this that I could find that wouldn’t auto-play.