The NFL coaching carousel is spinning at full speed this offseason, with a staggering 10 head coach openings across the league. But one team that’s staying firmly planted?
The Green Bay Packers. Despite a deflating playoff exit in Chicago, Matt LaFleur isn’t going anywhere - and in fact, he’s getting a new deal.
Green Bay is doubling down on its leadership core, with sources confirming that LaFleur, general manager Brian Gutekunst, and director of football operations Russ Ball are all in line for contract extensions. The team hasn’t made anything official yet, but all signs point to the Packers running it back with the same brain trust that’s guided them through a transitional era - and still kept them in the postseason mix.
LaFleur’s extension is the headline here, and it’s not hard to see why. He’s 76-40-1 over seven seasons, with six playoff appearances and two trips to the NFC Championship Game.
That .654 winning percentage? It ranks 16th all-time - ahead of some pretty legendary names.
For all the noise around his perceived shortcomings, LaFleur has provided something most franchises spend decades searching for: stability and consistent playoff relevance.
Still, in Green Bay, that’s not always enough. This is Titletown, after all.
Lombardi Trophies are the standard, not just winning seasons. And while LaFleur came close with Aaron Rodgers and has led a rapid rebuild with Jordan Love, the fact remains: the Packers have just one playoff win since Love took over, and they’ve now entered the postseason as the seventh seed three years running.
That’s not exactly the kind of trajectory that screams “Super Bowl contender.”
So, why stick with LaFleur when other franchises - including the Bills, Steelers, and Ravens - have moved on from long-tenured, successful coaches this offseason? It comes down to timing, belief in the current roster, and a sense that this team is closer to breaking through than starting over.
New Packers CEO Ed Policy clearly sees LaFleur as part of that equation. While some fans have grown restless, the organization isn’t ready to hit the reset button - especially not when they believe they’re in the midst of a legitimate Super Bowl window.
And LaFleur still has the locker room behind him. Jordan Love, Micah Parsons, Tucker Kraft, and even former quarterback Aaron Rodgers have all voiced support for him.
That kind of backing matters. When a coach loses the locker room, it’s over.
But LaFleur’s players still believe he can lead them to the promised land.
“I definitely think Matt should be the head coach,” Love said after the playoff loss. “I’ve got a lot of love for Matt.
I think he does a great job. That’s it.”
And it’s not just about vibes. LaFleur remains one of the league’s sharpest offensive minds.
This past season, he kept the offense humming despite a revolving door on the offensive line, a banged-up receiving corps, and the loss of a key weapon in Kraft. He even put together a winning game plan for his backup quarterback when needed.
No, not every play call is a gem - but the overall body of work is hard to knock. Green Bay’s offense has consistently been among the league’s best under his watch.
That’s a stark contrast to someone like Sean McDermott, who was let go after his once-vaunted defense began to falter. When the side of the ball you’re supposed to specialize in becomes a liability, it’s usually time to go. LaFleur hasn’t hit that wall - not yet.
And let’s not overlook the quarterback development piece. LaFleur helped Aaron Rodgers win back-to-back MVPs, then turned Jordan Love from a question mark into a franchise starter.
He even helped develop Malik Willis into a viable backup. That kind of quarterback whisperer reputation is gold in today’s NFL.
If Green Bay had let him go, he would’ve been at the top of every coaching shortlist in the league - and probably a few that haven’t even opened yet.
Of course, there are still areas that need work. The Packers are likely facing a defensive coordinator vacancy, the offensive staff could use a bit more seasoning, and the special teams unit has been a consistent sore spot. LaFleur has some tough decisions ahead if he wants to take this team from playoff regular to Super Bowl champion.
But the roster is ready. Jordan Love is entering his prime with a hefty contract that reflects the team’s belief in him.
Parsons is a game-changer on defense. The team made a splash by trading for one of the league’s premier defensive stars.
This is the most complete version of the Packers we’ve seen since the Rodgers era ended - and they believe LaFleur is still the right coach to lead them through this window.
Sure, there’s always the temptation to chase the next hot name - a Ben Johnson, a Liam Coen - and hope they’re the missing piece. But for every rising star, there’s a Freddie Kitchens waiting to derail a franchise. The Packers don’t want to gamble with a roster this talented, especially not when they believe they already have a coach who can get them there.
LaFleur’s seventh season ended in disappointment. There’s no sugarcoating that.
And extending a coach fresh off a playoff loss isn’t the most glamorous move. But it’s a calculated one - and one rooted in belief that this version of the Packers, with this coach and this quarterback, can still reach the mountaintop.
The margin for error is shrinking. If the results don’t improve soon, the conversation will change. But for now, Green Bay is betting on continuity, chemistry, and a coach who still has the locker room and the offensive chops to make a deep run.