Extension talks between the Green Bay Packers and head coach Matt LaFleur have been a hot topic in the NFL landscape of late. New president Ed Policy did not extend either general manager Brian Gutekunst or LaFleur, who has one year remaining on his current contract, ahead of the 2025 season. Instead, the year was meant to be used in the team’s evaluation of whether to bring LaFleur back after seven years on the job. Another disappointing end to the season, this time in humiliating fashion blowing a 21-3 lead against the Bears, put his status in question.
But the anticipation now is that a deal will get done; it’s just a matter of time and ironing out the details. NFL reporter Dianna Russini of The Athletic spoke to a “league source” who characterized the whole saga as effectively much ado about nothing.
LaFleur extension a done deal, source suggests
“Everyone is being dramatic. It’s getting done. Dumb organizations do dumb things, the Packers aren’t dumb,” the source said per Russini.
Tom Silverstein, a beat reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, previously reported that the hold-up was based on the number of years LaFleur would get in his extension. It is understandable that he would want more than just a short-term deal where it would easy for the Packers to dismiss him at its conclusion. With more years comes more money, and the franchise wouldn’t be thrilled to cut LaFleur loose and still foot the bill for his remaining contract.
One thing that will have to change under LaFleur if he continues coaching in Green Bay is the lack of playoff success. His fault or not, the Packers have gone just 3-6 under his watch, winning one game since 2020. Without Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, LaFleur has not had the same success in the regular season, either. Does that say more about him or about Jordan Love?
Although the Packers are just one of six teams to make the playoffs each of the past three years, they have done so as a seven-seed each time and gone 29-21-1. From 2019-21 with Rodgers they posted a regular season record of 39-10.
Of course, the falloff of this year’s 9-7-1 team had more to do with injuries than anything else. If the Packers extend LaFleur, they’ll be counting on him to make the most of a talented roster next season for a squad that, when healthy, should have Super Bowl aspirations.
For More Great Wisconsin Content
Follow me on X at @ezsniper14 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
