Talks heat up as an NFL insider reveals the Green Bay Packers and head coach Matt LaFleur are deep in conversation about the future.
Much like the Green Bay Packers' 2025 season, there have been a ton of ups and downs in the postseason saga surrounding the job status of head coach Matt LaFleur.
Before his team's playoff collapse to the Chicago Bears, it was reported that he'd be meeting with team president Ed Policy shortly after the game to discuss a contract extension -- no matter the outcome of that game.
The Packers then blew that game in very LaFleur-ian fashion. Still, ESPN's Adam Schefter almost immediately after reported that the Packers were planning on extending LaFleur. Policy has said in the past that he doesn't want a "lame duck" coach, and 2026 is the final year left on LaFleur's current contract with the Packers.
That was Monday morning, and as of Thursday morning, nothing has come out.
There haven't been any real updates, but plenty of speculation. From re-signing him to firing him outright to even trading him...nothing has yet come out about LaFleur's status with the Packers.
That's odd, because it was supposed to be a fast decision, but NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic said on Thursday morning that she does expect this will all wind up in an extension. In fact, she's reporting that the Packers and LaFleur are deep in talks.
"I get the sense that Green Bay and Matt LaFleur are going to be working towards a deal and he's going to stay there," Russini said on Wake Up Barstool. "I haven't had any conversations with anyone who has said, 'Look, this thing is coming to a head, they're not willing to give him a new contract.'"
Russini also said that around the league, people are bewildered why the Pack would even consider not bringing back LaFleur. Yes, his playoff record of 3-6 leaves a lot to be desired, but he's gotten the Packers to the playoffs in six out of his seven seasons, and his overall regular season record as head coach in Green Bay is 76-40-1
You don't just get rid of a coach who wins that much, right? LaFleur's players clearly want him back, and Russini does seem to think these long-winded talks will wind up in that exact thing happening.
"If anything, those conversations are in deep talks right now where they're trying to keep Matt signed up there to stay in Green Bay," she said.