Lost in the building of Matt LaFleur’s first coaching staff was the retention of defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery, one of the best young coaches from Mike McCarthy’s final staff.

In keeping Montgomery, LaFleur and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine ensured the coach responsible for turning the Packers defensive line into one of the team’s strengths returns in the same important role in 2019.

The defensive front assistant under Mike Trgovac from 2015-17, Montgomery earned a promotion to defensive line coach after Trgovac was let go after the 2017 season. He not only helped establish Mike Daniels and Kenny Clark into disruptive and difference-making players, but he also developed young players such as Dean Lowry, Montravius Adams and Tyler Lancaster into contributors, leaving the Packers defensive line in terrific shape entering the 2019 offseason.

Another year with youngsters like Fadol Brown and James Looney might only add to the Packers’ depth up front.

It’s also possible the Packers will bring back veteran Muhammad Wilkerson, who was just starting to come on when he fractured his ankle in Washington in Week 3. And with 10 draft picks, GM Brian Gutekunst is likely to add another rookie to the mix.

The Packers need an edge rusher, but if a player like Ed Oliver is available at No. 12, it wouldn’t be surprising if Gutekunst pulls the trigger and counts on Montgomery to get the most out of the Houston star.

He’s the man tasked with fitting all the pieces together. And it’s hard to argue with the work he’s done so far.

Clark, the Packers’ first-round pick in 2016, has improved every season and is now firmly in elite territory among interior defensive lineman. Another offseason of improvement as a pass-rusher – plus a little injury luck – and Clark could easily become a Pro Bowl player in 2019. He was an alternate in 2018.

Lowry has been rock solid as a rotational defensive end the past two seasons, Adams made significant strides late in the season last year and Lancaster proved to be a terrific run stopper as an undrafted rookie in 2018. The arrow is pointed up for all three young players.

Even Brown, a waiver wire claim in December, contributed a few big plays late in the season.

It’s all a credit to Montgomery, who has gotten the best out of his players, regardless of draft status or acquisition method. It’s also a rarity compared to other former assistants on McCarthy’s staff.

If the results continue, Montgomery could be fast-tracking his way to a defensive coordinator role in the future.

There are many unknowns on LaFleur’s first staff, but the man leading the defensive line isn’t one of them. Keeping Montgomery might be the most underrated move of the Packers new coaching staff.