Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is focused on the future of his team rather than his own job security following a historic playoff defeat. The Packers” 31-27 loss to the Chicago Bears in the NFC wild-card game marked one of the largest collapses in franchise history.
After the game, LaFleur confirmed he had a brief conversation with team president and CEO Ed Policy during the flight back to Green Bay. He is scheduled to meet with Policy again soon to discuss the situation. However, he refrained from commenting on his job status, stating, “That”s not the focus right now, to be honest with you. We”re fresh off this loss. My sole focus is on our players, our team, and just trying to find ways to get better.”
The Packers are now part of an unfortunate group in NFL history, becoming the fourth team to lose a playoff game after leading by at least 15 points entering the fourth quarter. They held a strong lead at halftime, 21-3, and were ahead 21-6 at the end of the third quarter.
LaFleur has expressed his desire to remain with the team, saying, “This is one of one. I love this place.” Both he and general manager Brian Gutekunst have one year left on their contracts. Last summer, Policy indicated he preferred that neither the head coach nor the general manager enter the final year of their contracts without extensions, as it could create issues. This scenario presents two possibilities: extending LaFleur”s contract or letting him go.
When asked if he could return next season without an extension, LaFleur stated, “That”s not my focus right now. Those conversations will be had in a very short period of time.” He was also questioned about his qualifications to lead the Packers forward. LaFleur responded, “I don”t think those are questions for me. Like I said, I think my sole focus is just trying to find solutions to some of our issues and why things went awry yesterday. And you know, it”s disappointing. I”m as disappointed, obviously, as all you guys, as our fans, as everybody in our organization, because we had plenty of opportunities to slam the door shut and we didn”t get it done.”
Under LaFleur, the Packers have recorded a regular-season record of 76-40-1, but their playoff performance has been less impressive, with only three wins in nine postseason games since he took over. The team has reached the playoffs six times in LaFleur”s seven seasons. This season, the Packers struggled to maintain leads, as they were ahead by at least nine points in four of their eight losses. They also squandered a 13-0 lead in a tie game against the Dallas Cowboys.
After the game, LaFleur emphasized the need for improved composure during critical moments. He later clarified that he believed the team”s issues stemmed more from a lack of execution than composure, attributing some of the execution problems to coaching decisions.
Looking ahead, LaFleur noted that the Packers must evaluate various aspects of their training and practice methods to prevent similar collapses in the future, assuming he is still at the helm. “I think we have to look at everything, from how we train to how we practice,” he said. “These are conversations that I”ve already had with some of our people. Just trying to find maybe different ways to do things but those are all the conversations that are ongoing right now, just taking all the data that we have, comparing to other teams or whatever it may be.”
