While the Green Bay Packers found their way into the playoffs once again this season, it’s safe to say that they did not have the campaign they were hoping for, as they were eliminated in the wild-card round of the playoffs once again. Despite that, team President and CEO Ed Policy didn’t hesitate when it came to the futures of head coach Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst.
In an offseason full of coaching turnover, even on Green Bay’s own staff, Policy decided to hand both LaFleur and Gutekunst new contracts. The decision to do so was met with some skepticism by fans, but when speaking on the deals, Policy made it clear just how confident he is in both LaFleur and Gutekunst.
Ed Policy Dishes on Matt LaFleur, Brian Gutekunst Contract Extensions
LaFleur and Gutekunst have been working together as Green Bay’s brain trust since 2019, and during that stretch, the team has been one of the most consistent units in the league. The problem, though, is that this group has virtually no playoff success to show for, and some folks began to wonder if these guys were going to be capable of leading Green Bay to a championship after they flamed out in the postseason once again this year.
The story of the previous campaign for the Packers was injuries. The team never managed to develop any sort of consistency, and while LaFleur must shoulder some of the blame there, he could never nail down a consistent group of players who could stay on the field for him. Green Bay performed well in the playoffs: they just so happened to bump into a red-hot Chicago team at the wrong time.
At some point, LaFleur and Gutekunst are going to have to see some success in the playoffs in order to convince fans they are capable of getting the job done. Policy knows some fans are wary of this duo, but he expressed the utmost confidence in their abilities when discussing his decision to hand them both contract extensions last month.
“As we turn the page to the 2026 season, I am extremely optimistic and confident in our football leadership – Brian, Matt, and Russ – and their ability to get the right people in the right places for us to compete for our ultimate goal, a Super Bowl championship,” Policy wrote in an article on the Packers’ official website. “It goes without saying, our season didn’t end the way we wanted, but the season only ends the way you want for one team. That’s the business.”
Packers Hoping to Nail Their Offseason Work
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 10: Kaylee Hartung interviews head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 10, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The offseason is still young, but LaFleur has quickly proven he isn’t content with maintaining the status quo. While he lost his defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley, to the Miami Dolphins‘ head coach job, he has moved quickly to revamp his coaching staff on both sides of the ball. The hope is that this group will be able to maximize the talent on Green Bay’s roster.
Once LaFleur’s staff is set, all eyes will turn to Gutekunst, who is going to be tasked with tuning up the roster. Again, health will play an important role for this team in 2026, but shoring up some of the weak spots is going to be very important. If all goes according to plan for the Packers, though, they could emerge as one of the top Super Bowl contenders in the league next season.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Ed Policy Speaks Out on Matt LaFleur & Brian Gutekunst Amid Packers Coaching Changes appeared first on Heavy Sports.