The Green Bay Packers extended Head Coach Matt LaFleur as well as General Manager Brian Gutekunst, and Director of Football Operations Russ Ball this past weekend. Newly appointed Packers President Ed Policy decided that the best path for Green Bay was one filled with stability. Policy made his decision clear that he believes that the best version of the Green Bay Packers includes LaFleur, Gutekunst, and Ball at the helm.
It is no secret that the Packers season ended with five straight losses including an 18 point blown lead against the Bears to end the season. There were skeptics who believed that Green Bay should move on from LaFleur after a brutal collapse in the playoffs. Now that the decision is final, it is safe to say that the reaction is mixed. However, the one agreeable reaction from the LaFleur extension is the Packers choice of stability was the correct decision.
The Packers and the majority of the NFL know the type of coach of LaFleur is. LaFleur is a great offensive mind, play caller, and is beloved by his players. He certainly needs to improve his game management in some sort of fashion. With that being said, if the Packers moved on LaFleur, would the grass be greener on the other side? The uncertainty would be much higher. The truth is no one knows if the other coaches that Green Bay could have looked into, would work at all. As a result, Policy went with the option he knew best.
Keeping LaFleur Benefits Jordan Love and the Locker Room
Packers QB Jordan Love is the biggest winner of the LaFleur extension. Love’s third full season as the starter was certainly his best. Green Bay will only benefit as their QB heads into his 7th season in and his 4th season running the same offensive system. Love displayed poise and a strong sense of understanding of LaFleur’s offense in 2025. That confidence and knowledge will only improve with another offseason and training camp under his belt.
On top of the good news for Jordan Love, the rest of the Green Bay locker room did not hesitate to express their appreciation for their head coach. During the Packers locker room clean out day, Micah Parsons told the media that he spoke to Matt LaFleur after the season had ended. Parsons provided the media with an insight into his conversation with Matt LaFleur, “When I agreed to come here, you were part of the reason why I came here. I want you [to be] a part of this, and I love you, and I think you’re a great coach.” Following the loss to the Bears, Jordan Love echoed a similar sentiment for his head coach.
There is no doubt that LaFleur can win football games but after 7 seasons, his playoff resume is not much to brag about. The coach is not the sole source of blame. Green Bay needs execution from their players, too. Time will tell if LaFleur can right the ship when it comes to playoff football but for now the Packers placed a bet on the stable, durable horse as opposed to risk it all on a boom or bust upcoming coach.
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