Matt LaFleur Nears a Packers Return — But Only Evolution Can Save His Tenure
Matt LaFleur is inching closer to a return as head coach of the Green Bay Packers, and by nearly every objective measure, he has earned it. His regular-season résumé is elite. His quarterback development is undeniable. His locker room remains firmly behind him.
And yet, the same question refuses to disappear: why does it keep falling apart when it matters most?
If LaFleur is going to survive — and ultimately thrive — in Green Bay, this next chapter cannot look like the last. He must evolve. He must adapt. He must learn.
A Regular-Season Juggernaut Unlike Almost Any Other
Few coaches in NFL history have started their careers the way Matt LaFleur has.
In seven seasons as a head coach, LaFleur has amassed 76 regular-season wins, a total matched by only two other coaches at that stage in league history. His teams win consistently. They win efficiently. They win often.
Even more impressive is his reputation as a quarterback whisperer.
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Aaron Rodgers, seemingly rejuvenated, posted 85 touchdowns, just nine interceptions, and a 116.7 passer rating across back-to-back MVP seasons under LaFleur.
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Jordan Love has developed into a legitimate franchise quarterback, displaying elite poise, arm talent, and clutch play.
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Malik Willis, once written off, revived his value enough to position himself for a lucrative free-agent payday.
Wherever LaFleur goes, quarterbacks flourish.
But then the calendar flips to January.
The Playoffs: Where LaFleur’s Nightmare Begins
When the postseason arrives, the wins vanish — and the heartbreak begins.
LaFleur’s coaching career feels tragically preordained, foreshadowed by his time in Atlanta as Kyle Shanahan’s quarterbacks coach. There, he helped Matt Ryan reach MVP heights, guiding the Falcons to one of the most explosive offenses the league had ever seen.
Atlanta built a 28–3 Super Bowl lead over the New England Patriots.
And then everything collapsed.
That moment wasn’t an anomaly. It was a warning.
LaFleur brought the same quarterback brilliance to Green Bay — and the same postseason meltdowns followed him from I-75 to I-94.
The list of playoff disasters is haunting:
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Kicking a field goal down eight with 2:09 remaining against Tampa Bay
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A blocked field goal and blocked-punt touchdown against San Francisco
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A fourth-quarter missed kick against the same 49ers two years later
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And now, the most painful of all: a historic collapse against the Chicago Bears
Different rosters. Different quarterbacks. Same result.
Pressure Creates Diamonds — Or Nightmares
For the NFL’s greats — Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid — pressure creates diamonds. They become sharper, calmer, more ruthless when the lights are brightest.
Even Jordan Love has repeatedly shown the “it factor” in clutch moments.
But for Matt LaFleur, pressure seems to create something else entirely.
The playoffs do not care about win totals, passer ratings, or MVPs. They recognize only one currency: winning. By any means necessary.
And when chaos hits, LaFleur’s teams consistently sink.
Former Jets coach Robert Saleh, LaFleur’s close friend and best man at his wedding, once summarized it brutally after beating Green Bay:
“We felt like if we just keep taking them down to deeper water, they’ll find out they can’t swim.”
That quote still defines the Packers.
Why the Fan Base Is So Divided
For years, Packers fans believed LaFleur was simply a piece or two away.
In 2023, Jordan Love’s first season as the starter, Green Bay surged from 3–6 to the NFC Championship Game, playing with house money and shocking the league.
Two years later, the front office pushed all its chips to the center of the table by acquiring Micah Parsons, signaling an all-in approach.
The result?
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No. 7 seed
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Early playoff exit
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Same ending, different cast
Fans want change.
But the locker room does not.
LaFleur Has Not Lost His Players
This matters.
After Saturday’s defeat, Jordan Love, Micah Parsons, and Tucker Kraft were among several stars who publicly and emphatically supported their head coach. LaFleur may be losing portions of the fan base, but he has not lost the locker room — a testament to his leadership.
Even Aaron Rodgers, speaking after the Steelers’ playoff loss, defended LaFleur without being prompted.
“When you hear conversations about the Mike Tomlins of the world, the Matt LaFleurs of the world… for either of those two guys to be on the hot seat is apropos of where we’re at as a society and a league.”
Rodgers’ message was clear: reactionary outrage does not equal sound evaluation.
All Signs Point to a Contract Extension — With Conditions
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, LaFleur and the Packers are expected to work toward a contract extension.
But this cannot be a simple continuation of the status quo.
This must be the start of something different.
Because the biggest flaw of LaFleur’s tenure has nothing to do with play design — and everything to do with staff management.
LaFleur Must Rebuild His Coaching Staff
Teams take on the identity of their head coach.
In Chicago, Ben Johnson has embraced villainy. Minutes after another icy handshake with LaFleur, he stormed into the Bears’ locker room and screamed, “F— the Packers!”
Unprofessional? Maybe.
Effective? Absolutely.
Chicago plays with edge. With ruthlessness. With belief.
Green Bay, meanwhile, keeps letting opponents off the mat.
Is LaFleur too nice? Too loyal? Too unwilling to make hard decisions?
His coaching hires suggest yes.
Loyalty Has Become a Liability
LaFleur has consistently waited too long to make necessary changes:
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Joe Barry was retained at least one season too long
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Rich Bisaccia, despite playoff-disastrous special teams, was given an extension just last year
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Jason Rebrovich remained in place long after performance dictated change
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Now questions loom around offensive assistants as well
This loyalty has cost the Packers in January.
To LaFleur’s credit, he acknowledged the need for evaluation during his end-of-season press conference, notably refusing to commit to Bisaccia’s future.
“We’ll determine all of that.”
That’s not a vote of confidence. It’s an opening.
The Model Is Right There in Chicago
Ben Johnson surrounded himself with experienced, proven voices:
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Dennis Allen
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Eric Bieniemy
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Richard Smith
LaFleur, by contrast, has leaned heavily on inexperience and internal promotions.
That must change — immediately.
What the Evolution Must Look Like
For the Packers to ascend, LaFleur must swing big:
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A defensive coordinator who can maximize Micah Parsons (Brian Flores? Raheem Morris?)
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A special teams coordinator who won’t implode in January
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A veteran offensive mind who challenges LaFleur — even if that means giving up play-calling
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Position coaches who specialize in detail, accountability, and toughness
As ESPN’s Jason Wilde put it:
“It’s possible that he will have to hire for all three coordinator positions.”
That’s the cost of stagnation.
Final Verdict: Sink or Swim
The Packers are close.
They have the quarterback. They have elite defensive stars. They have offensive weapons. They even built a 21–3 lead in Chicago before collapsing.
LaFleur deserves credit for getting them there.
But championships require something more: ruthlessness, calm, and adaptability.
Matt LaFleur will likely return on a new contract.
But this must be the end of the Packers as we’ve known them.
If he evolves, Green Bay can contend for titles.
If he doesn’t, Saleh’s prophecy will keep coming true — deeper water, same result.
This is LaFleur’s sink-or-swim moment.
