The Green Bay Packers came into the week with uncertainty surrounding the future of head coach Matt LaFleur, with one of the winningest coaches in franchise history entering a contract year and in demand by multiple teams in the NFL coaching carousel. There’s now more clarity on the situation in Green Bay.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Sunday that the Packers are working toward contract extensions with both LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst. While deals haven’t been struck, the expectation is that both will be signed to long-term deals and with the franchise for years to come.
Related: Green Bay Packers Starter Who Likely Won’t Be Back in 2026
That wasn’t a certainty as of a few days ago. Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that LaFleur and the Packers were at a bit of a sticking point in negotiations. While the two sides were reportedly on the same page regarding the salary under the new deal for Green Bay’s head coach, the length of the contract extension was reportedly the bigger issue.
Assuming a new deal is signed, LaFleur’s new salary is reportedly expected to be in the ballpark of $14 million to $15 million. What remains to be determined is whether he’ll receive a two-year extension, keeping him under contract through the 2028 season, or sign a contract that offers him a lot more job security.
Related: Green Bay Packers Defensive Coordinator Candidates to Replace Jeff Hafley
The drawn-out negotiations have created plenty of headlines this week. It’s even led to speculation by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that Green Bay could potentially trade LaFleur to one of the eight teams with a head-coaching vacancy. If that were to happen, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley would likely be promoted to become the next Packers coach and land a multiyear deal reportedly worth around $7 million.
However, Dianna Russini of The Athletic spoke to a league source who is informed on the negotiations and was told that the spectacle surrounding what’s happening in Green Bay is being overblown. The league source fully expects LaFleur to sign a new extension with Green Bay.
“Everyone is being dramatic. It’s getting done. Dumb organizations do dumb things, the Packers aren’t dumb.”
NFL league source to Dianna Russini on the Green Bay Packers’ contract talks with Matt LaFleur
Furthering that point, there already seems to be an ongoing Packers coaching search. Hafley has emerged as the front-runner to take a head-coaching job in the AFC and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported on Saturday that Green Bay is beginning to evaluate its options for a new defensive coordinator.
While the negotiations have created plenty of headlines and some debate this week, a resolution seems to be closer. LaFleur will likely be the Packers head coach in 2026 and signed to a new deal that will presumably keep him around for several years to come.
