The Green Bay Packers have been excellent during the seven-year tenure of head coach Matt LaFleur, but several analysts around the league are speculating that he could end up unemployed if the team goes one-and-done in the upcoming playoffs.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk summed up the situation on Sunday, January 4.
“That could make the wild-card round critical for coach Matt LaFleur and G.M. Brian Gutekunst,” Florio wrote. “New team president Ed Policy, who grew up a [Cleveland] Browns fan, made it clear in June 2024 that neither LaFleur nor Gutekunst would get contract extensions before the end of the 2025 season. And with both signed through 2026, Policy added that he’s not a fan of lame-duck arrangements.”
“Which means it’ll likely be new contracts or pink slips for the Packers coach and G.M. once the 2025 campaign ends,” Florio continued.
The Browns matter in the context of Kevin Stefanski’s uncertain future after six years with that franchise, which have included two NFL Coach of the Year awards (2020, 2023) but an overall regular-season record of 45-56. Cleveland made the playoffs both seasons Stefanski claimed that honor and has a 1-2 postseason record during Stefanski’s tenure.
Florio suggested that Stefanski, an offensive-minded head coach who has called plays for much of his time in Cleveland, would be a logical replacement for LaFleur if both the Browns and Packers move on.
“Stefanski, who spent all of his career in the NFC North with the [Minnesota] Vikings before getting the Cleveland job in 2020, could end up being the guy when the dust settles on what could be the first Green Bay coaching search since 2019,” Florio added.
NFL Insider Predicts Browns Will Fire Kevin Stefanski ‘Very Soon’
GettyCleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.
It is a bit strange absent context to imagine someone like LaFleur, who owns a career record of 76-39-1 in the regular season, 3-5 in the playoffs and two NFC championship game appearances on his resumé, getting the axe after seven years so that the Packers can replace him with a far less successful coach in Stefanski.
However, the Packers’ inability to get over top and earn a Super Bowl appearance and a ring will be Policy’s reasoning if he moves on from LaFleur and/or Gutekunst this winter.
Stefanski’s situation offers more clarity, as the Browns are 8-26 over the past two years and starting at more or less a full offensive rebuild this offseason. Jay Glazer of Fox Sports predicted on Sunday, January 4 that it’s already over for Stefanski in Cleveland.
“Kevin Stefanski will be unemployed very soon here,” Glazer said.
Matt LaFleur Will Likely Land Head Coaching Job Elsewhere in 2026 if Packers Fire Him
GettyGreen Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
If the Packers do part ways with LaFleur, he is liable to land a coaching job quickly.
There are several teams that will be looking for a new head coach this cycle, including several that would make sense for LaFleur.
He served as the offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans in 2018 before landing the job in Green Bay. Tennessee will be seeking a new head coach this offseason, and likely one who can shepherd No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward into his prime as an NFL quarterback.
The New York Giants are also seeking an offensive-minded head coach to lead a team with first-round rookie Jaxson Dart starting under center. If available, LaFleur would likely leap to the front of the line for both openings, and potentially others this offseason.
2-Time Coach of Year Linked to Packers Amid Matt LaFleur Uncertainty