It’s somewhat strange given Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur’s resume that he’s even being mentioned as being on the hot seat.
The 46-year-old has had just one losing season in his seven years in Green Bay. He’s also made the playoffs in six of seven seasons, won three division titles, and made it to two NFC Championship games.
However, the Packers have yet to advance to a Super Bowl, and they’ve only made it past the wild-card round once in the last four years, which is why ESPN’s Adam Schefter believes the team will think long and hard about where it wants to go from here following Saturday’s playoff loss to the Chicago Bears.
“The Green Bay Packers and their new president Ed Policy have a significant decision to make here in the coming days, and that is whether to extend Matt LaFleur’s contract — he’s currently got one year remaining — or to move on from him,” Schefter stated on “NFL Countdown.”
“If they moved on from him, he automatically would go near the top of the coaches available and shake up this current head coaching cycle yet again.”
Jordan Love Makes Stance on LaFleur Clear
GettyGreen Bay Packers QB Jordan Love
After the Packers blew a 21-3 lead against the Bears on Saturday — a loss that ended their season — fans flocked to social media to call for LaFleur’s job.
And while it’s clear the team’s fan base is ready for a change, star quarterback Jordan Love isn’t.
“I’m not going to jump to any conclusions or anything, but we’ll see what happens going forward and that’s the case for every end of the season going into the offseason. We’ll see if anything comes forward,” Love stated.
“Yeah, I definitely think Matt should be the head coach. I’ve got a lot of love for Matt, and I think he does a great job — that’s it.”
Love’ stance on LaFleur hasn’t wavered since the last time he was asked if the Packers should move on from the seventh-year coach back in November.
“I’ve got a lot of trust in Matt,” Love said at the time. “That’s something that’s not wavering at all. I’ve been with Matt since I got here. I know exactly what he’s capable of, what the whole staff is capable of; that’s not wavering. It comes back to all of us — players, coaches, everybody — finding ways to improve and get better.”
Packers Likely Have Only 2 Options
LaFleur is in the final year of his contract, and based on what Packers team president Ed Policy told reporters regarding his view on team employees in premier positions during a press conference after he was hired in the offseason, it’s presumed the team will either fire LaFleur or extend him.
“Generally speaking, I would avoid lame-duck status,” Policy said. “It’s oftentimes difficult on everybody involved. But there are certain situations that probably call for it, so I would not say never.”
Schefter speculated on Sunday morning that if the Packers did move on from LaFleur, now would be the time to do so with the Baltimore Ravens recently firing John Harbaugh.
As Schefter pointed out, Harbaugh is represented by Brian Harlan, the son of former Packers president Bob Harlan, and if the Packers job became available, some believe it would be the one Harbaugh wants.
With Love firmly in place at quarterback plus the offensive skill players in place — running back Josh Jacobs, wide receivers Jayden Reed and Christian Watson, and tight end Tucker Kraft — plus a defense led by superstar Micah Parsons, the Packers job would be one of, if not the most attractive gigs available.
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