The Green Bay Packers are sticking with their core leadership - and they’re doing it with conviction. Head coach Matt LaFleur, general manager Brian Gutekunst, and executive vice president/director of football operations Russ Ball have all signed long-term contract extensions, reaffirming the organization’s belief in the trio that has shaped the team’s current era.
While outside noise questioned whether LaFleur should remain at the helm after another postseason that ended short of the Super Bowl, the Packers never seriously considered making a change. And when you look at the full picture, it’s easy to understand why.
LaFleur’s 76-40-1 regular-season record speaks for itself. That’s a .654 winning percentage over six seasons - a mark most franchises would gladly take.
But yes, the Super Bowl has remained just out of reach. His 3-6 playoff record is the stat critics love to throw around, and it’s fair to say that postseason results are the ultimate measuring stick in Green Bay.
Still, context matters.
LaFleur took over a team that had gone 11-16-1 in the two years before his arrival. Since then, he’s not only reestablished a winning culture - he’s sustained it through major transitions.
He helped Aaron Rodgers return to MVP form, guiding the veteran quarterback to back-to-back MVP seasons. When Rodgers moved on, LaFleur didn’t just keep the ship afloat - he helped steer it into a promising new era.
That era now belongs to Jordan Love, and LaFleur deserves a hefty share of the credit for the young quarterback’s development. Love has blossomed under LaFleur’s system, evolving into one of the league’s most exciting young signal-callers.
That kind of growth doesn't happen by accident. It’s the product of smart coaching, a quarterback-friendly scheme, and a head coach who knows how to build confidence in his players.
Offensively, the Packers have consistently ranked among the league’s best in expected points added (EPA), finishing in the top 10 in all but one season under LaFleur - that lone exception being Rodgers’ final year, when they narrowly missed the playoffs. That level of consistency in offensive efficiency is no small feat, especially when you're transitioning from a Hall of Fame quarterback to a first-year starter.
And let’s not overlook the bold move LaFleur made on the defensive side of the ball. Hiring Jeff Hafley as defensive coordinator raised eyebrows - mostly because no one saw it coming.
But the move paid off in a big way. Hafley quickly turned the unit around and is now one of the hottest head coaching candidates in the league.
That kind of foresight and willingness to go against the grain is part of what makes LaFleur’s leadership so valuable.
For Packers fans, sustained success can sometimes feel like a birthright. But it’s worth remembering that what LaFleur has accomplished isn’t automatic. It takes vision, adaptability, and a steady hand - especially when guiding the youngest roster in the NFL to three straight playoff appearances.
Is LaFleur perfect? No.
Are there things that need to improve if Green Bay is going to hoist another Lombardi Trophy? Absolutely.
But the idea that the Packers would be better off starting over - that they’d find someone who could do more with this group than LaFleur already has - is a risky bet.
This isn’t about settling. It’s about recognizing that the guy leading your team has already proven he can get you to the doorstep.
Now, the challenge is getting through it. And that’s a challenge the Packers believe LaFleur is still the right man to take on.
At the end of the day, keeping LaFleur isn’t just about loyalty - it’s about logic. He’s built a winning program, developed a franchise quarterback, and kept Green Bay in the playoff mix year after year. The next step is clear, and the Packers are betting he’s the one who can finally take it.