The Green Bay Packers are at something of an organizational crossroads in terms of leadership: either extend head coach Matt LaFleur on what is sure to be a significant contract, or appease the disgruntled portion of the fanbase and part ways with him after seven years for a fresh start with someone else.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on Monday, January 12 that the organization is considerably more inclined toward the former option, even despite a gut-wrenching collapse against the Chicago Bears over Wild Card Weekend.
“Packers are now expected to try and work out a deal in the coming days to keep head coach Matt LaFleur in Green Bay, per sources,” Schefter posted to X.
“Matt LaFleur currently has one year remaining on his contract,” Schefter continued. “Both sides want clarity moving forward.”
The sticking point is likely to be the number at which Green Bay can retain LaFleur, with some estimations of asking price coming in upwards of $15 million annually in 2027 and beyond.
As for the sentiment toward LaFleur in the Packers’ locker room, big-name players stepped to the microphone Monday to voice resounding support for his return. Among them was Micah Parsons, who has spent just one year playing for LaFleur and the Packers.
“Matt’s one of the best guys and people, like as a person, I’ve been around since I’ve been in this league,” Parsons said. “I reached out to him when I started seeing this and I said, ‘Man, when I agreed to come here, you were part of the reason why I came here. I want you a part of this.'”
Micah Parsons Puts Blame for Packers’ Loss to Bears on Players, not Coaches
GettyPass-rusher Micah Parsons of the Green Bay Packers.
Parsons continued with a powerful endorsement of a coach who the superstar pass-rusher said he loves, citing LaFleur’s character while also calling out his teammates for what happened in Chicago Saturday night.
“I just think he cares so much, like he cares so much about the players,” Parsons said. “And you can get spoiled with good coaches and good people, and you don’t realize until they’re gone. And I don’t wanna be at that point.”
“At one point, players have to have accountability,” Parsons continued. “And that’s something that I’m challenging us … as players we need to have accountability. How do we let that game go? Coaching can only do so much.”
Parsons was unable to contribute to Green Bay’s one-and-done playoff run due to a torn ACL he suffered against the Denver Broncos in Week 15. Despite the injury cutting his year short by three-plus games, Parsons ended the campaign earning Pro-Bowl honors and a first-team All-Pro selection.
Tucker Kraft Backs Matt LaFleur as Packers’ Head Coach
GettyTight end Tucker Kraft of the Green Bay Packers.
Another injured member of the Packers who couldn’t play Saturday but spoke up for LaFleur on Monday was tight end Tucker Kraft.
“Matt’s been nothing but generous to me and my wife and my family since we’ve been here,” Kraft said. “He’s just trying to get the best out of each and every one of his players.”
“I don’t think there’s another coach that could come in and do it as well as he does it,” Kraft continued. “It’s only getting better here.”
The third-year tight end was on track for a Pro-Bowl season of his own before going down with an ACL tear against the Carolina Panthers in early November. Across just eight games played, Kraft hauled in 32 receptions for 489 yards and six TDs.
Micah Parsons Breaks Silence on Matt LaFleur Amid Packers’ Coaching Controversy