Green Bay is reeling, sitting at a brutal 1-2 after Week 3, thanks to an absolutely embarrassing 35-14 blowout loss to the Falcons right there at Lambeau Field. That shellacking came hot on the heels of a 39-22 Week 1 thumping by the Vikings. Yeah, they snagged an overtime escape against the Jets in Week 2, but let’s be real: two double-digit losses already? That’s not the start anyone expects, especially not from a team with a coach who usually keeps things tight.
LaFleur’s Record Is Getting Sketchy
Head coach Matt LaFleur has a stellar regular-season record, no doubt about it. After 120 games, he’s 77-42-1, a 0.646 win percentage that looks great on paper. He’s even taken them to the playoffs in five of the last six seasons. But here’s the kicker: his playoff mark is a dismal 3-6. Three wins, six losses. Plus, they’ve dropped six of their last seven games, stretching all the way back to last season. Now, Green Bay is in serious danger of missing the playoffs for the second time under LaFleur, and fans are definitely noticing the cracks. This 1-2 start is completely new territory for him; his teams typically kick off the season with a 3-0 or 2-1 record.
The Money Trap: Why They Can’t Bail Out
So, with things looking rough, are we about to see a coaching change? Nope. Not happening, at least not anytime soon. The reason is simple, and it’s all about the money. CEO Ed Policy went ahead and gave both LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst massive extensions and raises in January 2026. LaFleur’s new deal reportedly pays him $15 million per season and runs all the way through the 2029 season. Imagine the buyout if they tried to fire him in the middle of this season or even next season! It would be an insane financial hit, a huge reversal for Policy. The team’s gotta practice patience because of that hefty price tag, not to mention LaFleur’s overall track record, despite the current struggles.
There are real concerns about this offense too. It’s one-dimensional, and quarterback Jordan Love is taking a beating out there. The rushing attack is struggling big time, and reliable veteran Josh Jacobs is stuck on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, so he can’t even help. And let’s not forget that porous run defense; that’s more on Gutekunst than LaFleur, but it’s another glaring problem.
Green Bay needs to turn things around fast. They get a shot at a struggling Tampa Bay team in Week 4, which could be a breather. After that, though, it’s a gauntlet with back-to-back home games against Chicago and Dallas, then a road trip to Detroit. That’s a brutal stretch. If LaFleur can’t fix this mess, it’ll be interesting to see what happens after the 2027 season, because that’s the earliest any coaching change could realistically happen. Keep an eye on Jim Harbaugh, whose Chargers are 0-2; he’s a potential candidate down the line.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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