The Green Bay Packers’ season ended with a 31-27 Wild Card loss to the Chicago Bears on Saturday. After a 9-7-1 campaign marred by injuries, the team now faces a crucial offseason. Head coach Matt LaFleur’s future remains uncertain, while defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is expected to move on as he explores head coaching opportunities.
“I fully anticipate him getting one of these,” the Packers head coach said via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.
The Packers ended the regular season ranked 11th in points allowed and 12th in yards allowed. Micah Parsons played a major role in that performance, recording 12.5 sacks in just 14 games. His late-season ACL injury left the defense undermanned heading into the playoff matchup.
Matt LaFleur and Jeff Hafley with the Packers
Jeff Hafley has lined up five interviews for NFL head coaching positions, according to recent reports. The Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, and Tennessee Titans are all set to meet with the Packers’ defensive coordinator. Only the Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants, and Cleveland Browns have head coaching openings but have yet to reach out to Hafley.
LaFleur sidestepped questions about whether he will return to the Packers during his year-end press conference. After another crushing playoff defeat, the organization could part ways with him and they could just promote Jeff Hafley to maintain defensive continuity.
Under LaFleur, the Packers went 76-40-1 in the regular season, reaching the playoffs six times in seven years. If the team decides to move on, his 3-6 postseason record will be the stat many point to. The big question becomes whether Green Bay would risk bringing in a first-time head coach in pursuit of playoff success or turn to a proven veteran to steady the ship.
