The Green Bay Packers had what was unequivocally their most concerning defensive performance of the season.
The Packers went into the game as around 3-point favorites in the Saturday night affair at Lambeau Field, 6th in total defense and 10th in rushing defense, facing what was a top-5 ground game in the NFL in the Baltimore Ravens.
And the result left nothing to the imagination: Green Bay conceded an incredible 307 yards on the ground and 41 total points as they lost 41-24 to a team who had just a 4% chance of making the postseason tournament heading into the bout.
So, in light of this catastrophic failure on defense, thoughts have turned to not just the future of the season, but the direction of the franchise moving forward.
Indeed, The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman believes that Packers CEO, Ed Policy, could have a difficult decision to make if Green Bay do not proceed past the first round of the playoffs.
“Wonât harp on LaFleurâs future too much until the season is over, but I do think Ed Policy will have a tough decision to make if the Packers lose in the first round. Handful of factors to consider both for and against the head coach.” Schneidman wrote after the loss on December 27th.
Matt LaFleur’s Future Was Tenuous Heading Into The Season
Green Bay’s President and CEO changed in the offseason, as former occupier of the role, Mark Murphy, was forced into mandatory retirement after turning 70 years old, due to the team’s bylaws stating as such.
Ed Policy took over in the summer, and rumblings came out over the summer that he could look to find “his guy” at both head coach and general manager, especially as the team has yet to reach the Super Bowl yet in Matt LaFleur’s seven years in charge.
Schneidman reported back in August that Policy was essentially using the 2025 season as an evaluation year for both La Fleur and GM, Brian Gutekunst, to either extend them both beyond their current contracts – that are up at the end of 2026 – or, as was implied, find a new person at the helm.
Will The Packers Keep Matt LaFleur?
The offensive-minded head coach’s record speaks for itself: three division titles, a .659 winning percentage and six playoff berths in seven years.
And the organization will not forget the work he did to develop Jordan Love as a raw prospect out of Utah State; in addition to – as is seeming clearer by the week – Malik Willis, who had an outstanding game against the Ravens besides a couple of miscommunications with center, Sean Rhyan.
But the lack of playoff success is very much real. LaFleur is 3-5 in the postseason – and that includes three seasons in which the team had a first round bye.
This year, the hype was real on Green Bay, but time and time again the team failed to deliver in big moments; losses to the Panthers and Browns, in addition to a tie with the Cowhboys; and that was before major injuries struck, with Micah Parsons, Devonte Wyatt and Tucker Kraft all ruled out for the season.
If things do not pick up, and the playoffs go the same way as the Baltimore game, a new face could be leading the Pack in 2026.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Packers President Expected To Face ‘Tough’ Decision On Matt LaFleur appeared first on Heavy Sports.