With the Packers’ season now over, attention will turn to the future of their coaching staff. Head coach Matt LaFleur is currently under contract for one more season, but that could change very soon. 
Leading up to Green Bay’s wild-card game on Saturday, it was reported LaFleur was not coaching for his job and that extension talks would occur after the season ended. To no surprise, then, the seven-year HC said yesterday that he and president Ed Policy spoke briefly with one another after the Packers’ loss to the Bears. He added further talks would be coming shortly, and that is indeed the case.
Efforts will be made to work out a new LaFleur contract over the coming days, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. He adds the sides are expected to reach an agreement. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network also anticipates a deal being struck (video link). Policy is known to prefer coaches and GMs not operating in a lame-duck situation, so the status of general manager Brian Gutekunst – also under contract through 2026 – will be worth watching. It was reported yesterday that LaFleur and Gutekunst are not a package deal.
That leaves the door open to a number of possibilities in the Packers’ case. The team reeled off three straight 13-win campaigns at the beginning of LaFleur’s tenure. That was followed by an 8-9 season and the transition to Jordan Love at quarterback. Green Bay has reached the playoffs in each of Love’s three seasons as QB1; the Packers have just one postseason victory during that span, however. Overall, LaFleur has a regular-season winning percentage of .654 but a playoff record of 3-6.
“I mean, this is one of one,” the 46-year-old said of his desire to remain in Green Bay (via Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette). “I love this place… I love our players, the locker room, everybody in our organization. I mean, this is a unique place. The community has been outstanding.”
There are currently eight head coaching vacancies around the NFL. LaFleur would join John Harbaugh as one of the top candidates on the market in the event of a firing, and Rapoport confirms teams are monitoring his situation. A dismissal would come as a surprise at this point, however. Talks producing a new agreement appears to be a far likelier outcome with negotiations set to take place.
He should have to coach for his job on the final year of his contract and fire Rich Bisuckia. Specials teams is garbage.
I don’t disagree at all
And the offensive line coach. Stenovich was much better.
Fire RB. Fire Butkus. Demote Steno back to OL coach if he’ll accept it. I’d try to snag the Rams passing game coordinator to be OC. And for Christ’s sake, Matt, stop coaching scared.
It’s the right call. Frustrating season and very frustrating end to the season, but there aren’t ten head coaches I’d rather have. I don’t think the team would be better off with a different coach and it’s foolish to fire people just to feel like someone has taken the blame for disappointment.
Being a Packer fan in NY, I was arguing with the radio this morning as on FAN Gio was saying how he should be fired. Yes it’s true the team has not done the job in the playoffs but look how Dallas went downhill after firing McCarthy. Great coaches today are rare and even good ones can be hard to find. I don’t blame injuries as every team gets them. The players though need to look in the mirror. The collapses against the Bears are at least as much on them. McManus was a key find last year but his misses on Saturday night were a big reason for the loss just to name one. The defense also is to blame. Everyone wants to take credit for the wins but no one seems to accept responsibility for the losses.
Forgot to add that I’m happy with LeFleur remaining.
All reasonable. If McManus hadn’t wet the bed, the conversation would be very different. They were also without Parsons, Kraft, Tom, and Wyatt, which is a pretty big chunk of their core.
Only thing I’ll quibble with is the McCarthy example. Dallas actually looked great on offense this year. I was skeptical of the Schottenheimer hire, but he and Adams looked strong in year one. The defense was already worse without Quinn, and going to Eberflus and losing Parsons made it unbelievably bad. I don’t think losing McCarthy was the big problem.
Looking forward to the many more blown leads and choke jobs in the future 🙌
And many more comments from Jets fans like “Oooof” claiming it wasn’t his fault and that he’s a great HC. Lol.
What would you clowns have to comment about if you weren’t bitching about something?
I’m not sure what kind of message this sends…underperform all season vs. expectations, lose your last five games including two to the Bears in embarrassing fashion, blow 3 leads of 10+ points in one season because you can’t make adjustments/get too conservative…and get an extension. I guess the standards have fallen in Titletown.
Poor adjustments and playing down to their opponents have hampered the Packers for a few years, similar to the Steelers under Tomlin, yet moving on seems short-sighted. Packers had a lot of tough injuries the second half of the year at key positions with not much depth at them. Their biggest issue is drafting and developing players, and that’s been an issue since before LeFleur and Gutekunst were in charge.
But doesn’t the development of players ultimately fall on LeFleur and the coaching staff that he chose? And every team has injuries, and yes, they were quite significant this year. But even with the injuries, we had the Bears on the ropes twice, and we choked in historic fashion. There’s simply too much talent on this team and too big of an investment in players to trend downward or show little improvement like we have. We’ve given him 7 years to take us to the next level, and the fact is he hasn’t. So I respectfully disagree that it’s short-sighted. Frankly, I’m not sure how many more years a coach should get before you discern if he’s capable of being a Super Bowl-caliber leader or not. Now, maybe there’s nobody better out there available and willing, but the appearance of giving this guy an extension after what just transpired simply doesn’t look good.
Rivalry seems guaranteed to be hopped up for the next few years anyway with Johnson and Lafleur signed long term. Let the games begin!
We can blame coaches for things like playbook & play calling … but not spiking the ball on a bad snap with seconds on the clock isn’t one of them
ijs
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Actually we can. It is the coaching that teaches discipline, builds a culture of winning, and minimizing mistakes. If the bumbled snap was a one off, no big deal. These things happen. But it has been a consistent pattern of mental mistakes, bad penalties, weak tackling, players out of position….
It’s been a long pattern and that’s on the coaches. LaFleur must go. Green Bay will never win a SB with him as HC. I hope I’m wrong, but I fear I’m not.
only making postseason because of the expanding playoff field to 7 teams
Matt LaFleur is one of the top five or six coaches in the NFL. If the Packers get rid of LaFleur, they will regret it, especially if ends up in the NFC.
That said, second half adjustments have been weak under LaFleur. It may make sense to hire an assistant OC whose sole responsibility is to study the other team and put in second-half adjustments. In the second half, LaFleur would focus on clock management and personnel.
A top 5 or 6 coach as you call him can not be weak at second half adjustments. That alone says he’s not a top tier coach.
One thing you have to look at with all the candidates looking to be HC’s out there is there a replacement to take LeFleur position as HC of the Packers that is better than you want to get rid of.
Matt LeFluer is a good coach. Or to put it this way there’s a lot worst. Is he a bit overrated ? One can make that argument. When he arrived in 2019 the Pack was a ready made team. Just look at the roster he had. He didn’t exactly walk into a rebuild \retool\culture change type of thing. Pretty much ready made. Sure, he had to maintain. But really not much to do here. Some will also make the argument that it was Aaron Rodgers’ team. Or at least the offense side. As far as the current time there really no one out there currently available that’s better.
Harbaugh
The 63-year-old that hasn’t won a SB in over a decade and couldn’t get it done with Lamar Jackson?
Surely you kid.
Was has LaFleur done?
Nothing much.
Won the NFC North 3 times, had 3 x 13 win seasons, made the playoffs six out of seven years as a head coach.
LaFleur only has 0.654 win ratio, with 76 wins against 40 losses.
That win/loss ratio puts LaFleur at #16 among NFL coaches, ahead of Bill Belichick, Andy Reid, Kevin O’Connell, Sean Payton, DeMeco Ryans, Bruce Arians, Bill Cowher, Joe Gibbs, Sean McVay, Marty Schottenheimer, Bill Walsh, Tom Landry, Mike Vrabel, Don Coryell, Bill Parcells, Chuck Noll Peter Caroll, Wade Philips, Mike Ditka, Chuck Knox, Jimmy Johnson, Dan Reeves and both Shanahans (Mike and Kyle).
29-21-1 since Rodgers 1-4 in postseason since the 2021 season but whatever
It appears you prefer to play the short game: dismiss the young coach who can build Green Bay a dynasty in exchange for whatever retread is out there.
Good luck with that.
Top 5 or 6? Gross. He hasn’t done a thing. He’s third in his own division.
Dallas, Cleveland, Bears Regular season, Denver, and Bears Wild Card
5 games Packers blew a 2 score lead. 5 games. Packers ended the season on a 4 game losing streak heading into the playoffs.
Packers should definitely consider a change at HC
Blowing late leads probably helped show Harbaugh out the door, too. I hate to call for anyone’s job, but game management is kind of important.
Since the team is blowing all these leads why is no one looking at the defensive coordinator other than as a head coach candidate for another team?
Well let’s put it this way
Why is the defense suddenly blowing leads? Cause they established a lead in the first place being up 2 scores
Is it conservative play calling on offense, defense, both?
Cause if you’re playing conservative on offense and making your defense be on the field more they do wear down. So while you’re playing conservative and not scoring your defense is wearing down
If your playing no deep ball coverage that leaves a lot of room underneath for offenses to gain yards and slowly chip away at leads with fgs or even tds letting them get to the red zone
Yes, something has to improve with second half adjustments on offense at least, to keep the defense off the field and put more points on the board to protect the first half leads.
Woo hoo! We can look forward to more 2nd half failures in the years to come.
He is a great offensive mind. Maybe even brilliant. But he still can’t manage a clock and/or his timeouts. In the playoffs that is death. He’s pretty much fool’s gold.
I remember when Andy Reid was seen as a great offensive mind who couldn’t manage a clock.
All timing devices were probably analog when Andy began coaching…lol.
Okay, this made me laugh! Well done
He still can’t.
Brilliant minds don’t consistently fail with simple things.
Since they’re keeping him then make some changes to your coaching staff.. Fire the special teams coordinator. Packers ST has been garage for far too long
Great coaches and McCarthy do not belong in the same sentence.
1. Hire new ST coach.
2.Hire new DC when Hafley leaves.
3. Hire a full time OC so LaFleur can focus on the whole picture, not just play calling
4. Make that OC strong enough to take over when LaFleur is inevitably fired.
He should not be extended.
Next year we expect a first round bye, and then we’ll get blown out at home!
As a Bear fan, I am thrilled that MLF is staying on.
After next season, they will fire him and owe him more money. That is all this means today. MLF is not a Super Bowl coach. He’s a regular season coach with glaring weaknesses. Good job Policy. You just failed your first big test.
If you read between the lines of the statement that came out it sounds like the Packer management has a price they are willing to pay LaFleur, and since he has one year left on this contract if they can’t come together on a extension, it would not surprise me if they play a option where the Packers put out feelers to the teams looking for a good HC offer LaFleur up in a trade since GB has no first round draft pick in the next two drafts. I do believe Harbaugh has MidWest roots wants to coach a ready-made playoff team could look hard at Green Bay then.
Drafting and developing players has not been their biggest issue. They’ve drafted a lot of great players – Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Jaire Alexander, Karl Brooks, Devonte Wyatt, Zach Tom, Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, Evan Williams and Rasheed Walker. [I’m leaving out Jordan Love because he’s a separate discussion and I’m also leaving out the 2025 draft picks because one season isn’t fair enough of an evaluation.] It’s true that They’ve whiffed on a lot [Savage, Lloyd, DeGuera and Amari Rodgers come to mind], but I would argue that they’ve had more hits than misses. But every team has misses.
Where I think Gutekunst misses most is in the free agents he brings in. That’s been the area we’ve seen the biggest busts in, and I think the biggest influence by Rich Bissachia in the last couple years. Outside of Xavier McKinney and Josh Jacobs, two pickups that worked out, Nate Hobbs and Aaron Banks have hardly seen the field, Keisean Nixon was a great KR until they changed the rules but wanted to be the CB1 so bad when it looked like Jaire was leaving and then when he got it looked like he forgot how to play the position (while racking up a lifetime of stupid penalties). None of this has anything to do with draft and develop.
overrated. This seems like a scared move of “Who can we get that is better?” His teams are soft and he gets out coached by peers that are always in the running.
Beautiful. Bear down!
Keep Matt fire Gute.
He’s awful. As a Packer fan I would rather have Doug Pederson or Raheem Morris or even old geezer Pete Carroll. Consistently getting lazy and failing to finish off teams is a coaching issue, that’s why it’s the Packers who have been so much worse at it than anyone else since we got Lafleur.
Since Rodgers … MLF 29-21-1, 1-3 in postseason. 3-3 vs Detroit, 2-4 vs Minn, 4-3 vs Chic, but 1-2 this season.
Not a Packers fan but Is it possible that Love really isn’t the answer, and that Rogers was able to hide and more than compensate bad drafts and free agent choices with the quality of his play?
The issue and answer are simple, the rest of the division got better. For the better part of 30 years the packers have made wise decisions in every area of roster building. You can point to success in free agency with the likes of Charles Woodson, Xavier McKinley as an example. The usually draft well such as clay mattews and bj raji to Devonta Adams, Kenny Clark, Aaron Jones and the like. This success has occurred in every round not just the first three. Also look at undrafted players brought in that were starters for at least one contract cycle if not more. Simply put where other teams have failed the packers have gotten it right more times than not.
But in the last few years the Vikings have field a competent team with talent and the same goes for the lions and now the bears. These turning of fortunes have forced the packers to do two deals that put the nail in the coffin. Number one was trading Adams and not trading Rogers. The reason this is an issue is two-fold you didn’t sell high on Rogers and make the switch to Love which then forced a new contract that Love may not be worth and it also cost Love the ability to have an all pro WR #1. The second was pushing the chips in for Parsons. This type of move never works out because you trade capital in the draft plus a new contract and it usually goes wrong by year three. In this particular case Kenny Clark was also involved in the deal which made the d-line weaker. I feel Clark was the Packers best defender and as we stand today the proof is in the pudding.
Where the packers currently sit is the threshold of hell due to the huge investment in two players that are going to cause an issue of resigning the talent they have that have contracts expiring and because of adding parsons replacement talent will have to come from later rounds in the draft where they can not make mistakes while the other three teams in the division now are free to build a roster and even make mistakes and can over come those mistakes easier then the packers will be able to.
Yes, the Parsons trade was pushing all the chips on the table for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Of course, the injury bug hit as it usually does with defensive superstars (see the Bosas) as that much high speed contact beats the heck out of one’s body.
Draft well, trade away superstars in a timely way (maximum value, before the injury bug hits). One can keep stars (or superstars) who are willing to stay on team-friendly deals and whose medium-term health has been greenlighted by team doctors (who can send these guys for as many x-rays and MRI and ultrasounds as they like).
The billionaire owners are just not patient enough to play the long game. Howie Roseman seems to manage to keep the cupboards well-stocked, but even he’s overpaying a hot-cold QB and is saddled with a strange coach (Sirianni must be brilliant as his people skills are execrable) who can’t keep his first class roster playing well consistently.