How could people not wonder when LaFleur’s reply to a reporter when asked directly if Pettine would be retained — “We’re still working through everything right now, just trying to evaluate everything” — certainly gave the impression he was mulling a change in the wake of the defense’s horrendous showing with a berth in Super Bowl LIV on the line?
Pettine said he and LaFleur had spoken earlier that day about what had happened against the 49ers, who rushed for an astonishing 285 yards in their 37-20 victory, with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo having to throw only eight passes all game.