NFL Analyst Proclaims Green Bay Packers Matt LaFleur Not Immune To The Hot Seat Despite Extension

The Green Bay Packers had a big decision to make on Matt LaFleur this offseason. New team president Ed Policy decided to stick with LaFleur, giving him an extension. However, the ink on Matt LaFleur’s new deal might not be as permanent as it seems. Despite receiving an extension from new team President Ed Policy after a disappointing end to the 2025 season, LaFleur has to show that the late-season collapse was an anomaly, not the new normal.

While it might seem contradictory to extend a coach and then immediately put him under pressure, the reality of the situation in “Titletown” is far more complex. The Packers are a franchise defined by championships, and lately, they haven’t been close enough to smell one.

The Illusion of Security For The Green Bay Packers

On paper, LaFleur’s résumé looks impressive. He holds a regular-season winning percentage that ranks among the best in NFL history. He has guided the Packers to the playoffs in six of his seven seasons. However, regular-season success only buys you so much time in Green Bay. The real currency is playoff wins, and that account is running dangerously low.

The extension given to LaFleur—and General Manager Brian Gutekunst—was likely a move to maintain stability and avoid the “lame duck” narrative that can poison a locker room. But history tells us that money doesn’t guarantee employment. NFL teams eat contracts all the time. If the on-field product doesn’t improve, Ed Policy won’t hesitate to make a change, regardless of the financial cost.

Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports recently ranked LaFleur ninth on his list of coaches already on the hot seat for 2026. It’s a stark reminder that in this league, “what have you done for me lately?” is the only question that matters.

Late-Season Collapses are Becoming a Trend

The biggest reason for the rising temperature in Green Bay isn’t just that they are losing; it’s how they are losing. For the second consecutive season, the Packers fell apart when it mattered most.

In 2025, the team sat at a comfortable 9-3-1, looking like a lock for a deep playoff run. Then came the collapse. They lost their final five games, including heartbreakers where they blew leads against rivals like the Chicago Bears. This wasn’t just a slump; it was a freefall.

The playoffs offered no redemption. Despite holding a 21-6 lead in the fourth quarter of their Wild Card game, the Packers imploded, leading to another one-and-done postseason exit. Since beating the Rams at Lambeau Field in 2020, Green Bay has won just one playoff game. That simply isn’t good enough for a franchise with Super Bowl aspirations every single year.

High Stakes in Titletown

The pressure in Green Bay is unique. This isn’t a franchise happy just to make the dance. The standard was set by Lombardi, maintained by Holmgren, and chased by everyone since.

General Manager Brian Gutekunst acknowledged the issue, noting that the team hasn’t played its best football in December and January recently. “That’s kind of been the tale of the last couple of years,” Gutekunst said. “This team’s ready to do that, and we haven’t done that.”

The roster is talented. The quarterback situation is settled. The excuses are running out. If the Green Bay Packers stumble out of the gate in 2026 or fail to advance past the Divisional Round, the goodwill from LaFleur’s early success will evaporate.

Players Still Believe, But Will It Matter?

One thing Matt LaFleur has going for him is the locker room. Despite the noise outside the building, key players like Josh Jacobs have publicly supported their coach. “I think he’s become a great leader since I’ve been here,” Jacobs said.

Player support is vital, but it can’t save a coach from results. We’ve seen plenty of beloved coaches fired because they couldn’t get the team over the hump. The players can back him all they want, but unless that belief translates into postseason victories, it won’t change the outcome.

The Bottom Line for 2026

Heading into the 2026 season, Matt LaFleur is coaching for his job. The extension provides a safety net for his bank account, but not his career in Green Bay. The mandate is clear: fix the late-season swoons, win in the playoffs, and get the Packers back to being a true Super Bowl contender.

If we see another December collapse or an early playoff exit, don’t be surprised if the Packers decide to move in a new direction. In Green Bay, patience is a luxury, and Matt LaFleur has just about used up his supply.