Pack-A-Day Podcast - Episode 2731 - Could the Packers Trade Matt LaFleur?
On today's show, Andy goes into detail about what we know about the entire Matt LaFleur situation currently. Plus, how a trade would potentially work if he ends up with another team. Don't miss it!!!
By AndyHerman
On today's show, Andy goes into detail about what we know about the entire Matt LaFleur situation currently. Plus, how a trade would potentially work if he ends up with another team. Don't miss it!!!
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Andy is a graduate of UW-Oshkosh and owns & operates the Pack-A-Day Podcast. Andy has taken multiple courses in NFL scouting and is an Editor for Packer Report. Andy grew up in Green Bay and is a lifelong season ticket holder - follow him on Twitter @AndyHermanNFL!
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Comments (59)
stockholder
January 16, 2026 at 06:08 am
Do they want MLF?
Or do they want Gute?
Sounds like a soap opera.
If they get anything for MLF.
It would be wasted.
I say that because of Gute's
Drafting, Development, and Next man up.
He buys All-pros. Face it.
Mlf must be protected from Gute.
Just for that reason.
Because only one person is responsible
for an over estimation of talent.
murf7777
January 16, 2026 at 07:27 am
Mlf is a good coach, he’s just no longer a good coach for the Packers. Only one or two HC’s have won their first SB after their 7th year. I think a message gets stale, just like it did with McCarthy. Time to change HC and change the culture of the team.
Rebelgb
January 16, 2026 at 07:37 am
Im sorry Stock but its imperative the Packers go back to the original leadership structure we had in the past with the coach reporting to the GM.
If MLF doesnt like it too bad, he can move on. He hasnt proven himself to be good enough at player personel decisions to hold any kind of executive power (see offensive offensive line).
Once given total football operations control if Gutey fails he can be fired straight out.
What people who want Gutey fired forget is no other GM is going to want to work for the Packers under the current leadership structure.
Since'75
January 16, 2026 at 09:03 am
If Gute is given full control, that likely means he will be given an extension, most likely 4-5 years.
Sure, they could fire him, but they also have to pay him regardless, as they had to pay Thompson for 2-3 years after he moved back home to Texas. (RIP)
Thanks for the SB!!
I think if they keep MLF on, they keep Gute on, imo.
And that is the way it's looking, but again, my imo.
Yes...i could be wrong, like that one time back in 2017.
^That's a joke^.....calm down people.
SicSemperTyrannis
January 16, 2026 at 01:26 pm
I hope you're wrong. I don't think Gutey and MLF have been a particularly good combination. And there's no way we can tell why not, but if the normal league duties are restored to GM then we can have some reasonable idea how he does. Neither do I think MLF and JL10 pair particularly well together, although 3 QBs have done very well during his tenure in AR12, JL10 & #2.
What might happen with a coaching staff capable of developing players and an actual GM if we kept Gutey MLF and Hafley? These changes might prove to be more helpful than changing any of these 3 people, but obviously we'll never have any way of knowing that.
Exactly how unprepared was Ed Policy for this position?
Since'75
January 16, 2026 at 06:09 pm
" I don't think Gutey and MLF have been a particularly good combination"
I don't know my man.
Didn't Murphy fix all those silo's and communication issues back in 2018 when he made himself King of Green Bay?
Remember, once a week meetings for all the major Dept. heads and coaches means great communication, no silo's.
Which also means, you don't win even the divisional round in the playoffs.
Well, post Rodgers anyway.
Coldworld
January 16, 2026 at 06:32 pm
What Murphy created was a troika. That means any decisions that involved more than one had necessarily to be agreed by compromise (unless he intervened and made the decision for them). In practice that’s management by compromise and shifting majorities between the three or Murphy’s fiat.
That inevitably leads to contradictory decisions and compromises. Not a great way to run a football operation. Maybe good in a creative environment, but not in a sports franchise. This of course should have been obvious at the time to anyone with experience of organizational behavior. Now the signs are plentiful that it has indeed led to that even if all involved honestly tried to make it work.
Coldworld
January 16, 2026 at 06:14 pm
I don’t know that that is true about Gute’s extension having to be 5 years, 75. If it were my call, the structure would be changed and that would already be announced. Ball and LaFleur could like it or leave.
However, I’d still only give Gute a couple of years on top of the one he has. A couple of years of his vision and control and then renew or eat the last one. 2 seasons to prove he can helm the team in a positive direction with control of coaching and cap.
If he didn’t want LaFleur, then I’d give him that too. If he did, I’d judge him in part on how wise that proved to be. Again 2 years, 2 drafts with full final authority is plenty at this point.
jannesbjornson
January 16, 2026 at 09:49 am
Stockholder is correct. Gutedkunst has wasted too many picks and stayed with guys that do not get the job done. He was given a free pass when he was propped in place. He was in on the King pick along with Ball and Wolf,Jr. No Mas. I also feel LaFleur has to take a hike, or secure a real OC/play caller because this guy cannot stay focused in the moment. The Chicago meltdown revealed all we need to know. I have advocated for a house cleaning, just like Denver when they released John Fox.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
January 16, 2026 at 01:06 pm
He hasnt wasted anymore draft picks than any other gm. Drafting in the 20s and 30s almost every single year is incredibly hard. Hell there's teams drafting in the top 10 and even top 5 who still cant find franchise players. And despite it all, Gute has still put together a super bowl caliber squad when healthy. Focus on the big picture. Gute's done a great job.
SicSemperTyrannis
January 16, 2026 at 01:30 pm
I don't know about great, but Gutey's taken an approach towards trying to make the most out of always drafting low. I can't fault him for the big picture decision, despite some here habitually doing so with the benefit of hindsight. I don't see anything he's done worth getting fired over, although I agree with Andy Herman's version of RAS.
Since'75
January 17, 2026 at 12:27 pm
Super Bowl caliber?
Are we going to start that again?....lol
We got out of the wild car round once, post Rodgers.
Never got out past the divisional round.
Super Bowl caliber...
I love you guys, always make me smile.
Thank You!
Since'75
January 16, 2026 at 09:09 am
SH....i don't think a trade is going to happen.
Also, i think they view Gute/MLF the same, as they are both in a lame duck season.
Ideally for teams, GM's and head coaches contracts, run concurrent.
I think if one is gone, the other is gone.
But, i also think they are both staying, again, i could be wrong, but that's my feeling.
NFLfan
January 16, 2026 at 07:52 am
Who will step in and will they be both competent and willing to accept a 'middle-of-the road' pay package and deal with no Cap space, a poor OL/CB-room and no first round picks x 2 years?
Since'75
January 16, 2026 at 09:12 am
OL/CB/DL
Plus, we may be going back to kicking the salary cap can, down the road for a few seasons coming up.
jannesbjornson
January 16, 2026 at 09:55 am
The Rams moved their one picks for Ramsey and Stafford, but Les Snead cleaned up in the third round, bringing in guys that helped them Win the SB. The CAP is easily manipulated and the dead weight might as well be culled.
Since'75
January 16, 2026 at 06:00 pm
"Les Snead cleaned up in the third round"
I'll take.....things never said about Gute for $600 Alex.
jannesbjornson
January 16, 2026 at 11:16 pm
Hilarious, but surprisingly he took my guy Tucker Kraft Rd.Three to save the Musgrave mistake.
Since'75
January 17, 2026 at 07:06 am
Law of averages.
Even a blind squirrel can find a nut.
Rebelgb
January 17, 2026 at 11:07 am
Based upon his college stats and film study the Musgrave pick was a good one at the time. No way we could know that he has the mentality of an office clerk. Musgraves issues are all mental and I dont see them changing.
The Kraft pick was a great one.
Since'75
January 17, 2026 at 12:17 pm
If you were speaking to me, i was talking about hitting on Kraft in the 3rd round.
As far as Musgrave, usually, once he gets the ball/touched, he's on the ground, play over. With Kraft, you get premier NFL tight end YAC.
It's not just mental.
Rebelgb
January 17, 2026 at 01:57 pm
Fair enough.
PackBacker
January 16, 2026 at 08:01 am
It takes two to tango. What other NFL team wants to trade for an automatic first-round exit from the playoffs every year?
BuckyBadger
January 16, 2026 at 08:53 am
The list of teams would be long.
PackBacker
January 16, 2026 at 09:01 am
Ridiculous. But if it's true, let's take that deal in a heartbeat. If we can get a used kicking tee back in return, that would be more than enough.
GVPacker
January 16, 2026 at 09:33 am
LMAO....That's A Good One!!!!!
SicSemperTyrannis
January 16, 2026 at 01:32 pm
Of course 20 teams are lining up for that, and they all pick higher than GB, lol
Coldworld
January 16, 2026 at 06:20 pm
You forget, many of those teams are already in rebuild with their own versions of LaFleur of 7 years ago. They believe that they are ascending, and some will. Not every team with a worse record would jump on a coach like LaFleur.
There are perhaps 5 that might, especially if he can bring Willis in with him. Just enough that one might be willing to trade to avoid a bidding war or just get things settled fast. Perhaps we get lucky.
MooPack
January 16, 2026 at 08:29 am
Strange that it has taken this long to extend LaFleur, if that is their intention. Is it money, years, or both? My guess is years. Can't fault LaFleur for wanting that security. If they were "all in" on Matt, then this should've been done. If they are not, then what are we doing here? How much weighing of the risk/reward does it take if you are all in? If they are hedging, what kind of endorsement is that? If the FO is looking to trade him, then yes this might take a bit. What about Gute? Any word on him?
BritPack
January 16, 2026 at 10:04 am
I've seen an article stating that the number of years, not the money, is holding up the negotiations, with LaFleur wanting a longer deal than the Packers are offering.
Policy can win here by simply telling MLF that he has great leverage, and is absolutely correct to ask for a long extension, which puts him firmly in control of the negotiations.
MLF will then rest on his laurels believing the deal is in the bag, before an inexplicable and spectacular collapse sees him taking a short extension for pennies.
After reviewing the tape, he'll declare that he needs to be better in those situations, but is excited about the trajectory that he's on going forward.
Guam
January 16, 2026 at 01:38 pm
Saw the same article BP and am not surprised. LaFleur wants the typical five year coaching contract and that Packets want a "prove it" deal. We will see who blinks first.
Since'75
January 16, 2026 at 08:51 am
Recently i posed the question, who is in charge of football operations for the Packers.
Is The President sill involved (Murphy 2018) and now Policy, or did Policy change the power structure back to the GM?
I didn't know, so i asked the question.
For that....i got a 'scolding' from one our our readers here....lol
He stated in angst that, he has better things to do, explaining how great his life is outside the Packers, riding his motorcycle, etc.
Well....i suppose i could have came back with my time, of my decades of motocross racing, my road bikes , Ninja's, ST1000, ST1300's, and my Goldwings.
But i wasn't interested in getting into a pissing match on a football forum with someone who is clearly not invested or informed as i am about the Packers.
Rebelgb
January 16, 2026 at 09:04 am
Its a good question Since.
The reports are that Policy does want to go back to the GM having total football control. That just hasnt happened yet. So your answer is Ed Policy as of right now is in charge of football operations. He is looking to change that though.
SicSemperTyrannis
January 16, 2026 at 01:35 pm
I hope you're right!
Coldworld
January 16, 2026 at 04:01 pm
At least 2 obstacles. LaFleur would need to agree to bring subordinate to the GM and so would Russ Ball, who currently runs most of the GM functions including off field personnel pay (not hiring per se).
Since'75
January 16, 2026 at 08:52 am
UPDATE:
Rob Demovsky is reporting that Ed Policy is entertaining going back to the Wolf/TT power structure of the GM being fully in charge of football operation.
Wisconsin sports radio had Andrew Brandt on their radio show this morning to get his thoughts on that, and the MLF situation.
Brandt worked for the Packers for 9 years previous to Russ Ball, this man has been around the block and is highly respected in NFL circles.
He didn't say much other than he said the GM being given control of football operations worked great for the Packers with Wolf/TT.
He also stated he thought MLF would stay with the Packers, with the caveat that it isn't done, until it's done
Rebelgb
January 16, 2026 at 09:02 am
That would be great news!!!!
Now the question is does Policy think Gutey is the man for the job or could we see a change there? Especially if there is any truth to the rumor that MLF does not want to work under Gutey.
SicSemperTyrannis
January 16, 2026 at 01:37 pm
"any truth to the rumor that MLF does not want to work under Gutey."
A twist I did not anticipate! Neither was I expecting to be watching a soap opera, lol
Coldworld
January 16, 2026 at 06:36 pm
If it’s true, it suggests that they aren’t always on the same page. That seems to back up evidence on field over player usage and more.
The fact is though, LaFleur or whoever is coach needs to report to a GM. If it’s not Gute, he may like it a lot less, here or wherever. He’s not going to get the owners ear directly elsewhere, unless in Dallas perhaps. I’m not sure he’d enjoy that more. Murphy did him no favors letting him get used to that.
Rebelgb
January 17, 2026 at 11:11 am
Cold I believe your right. I think MLF and Gutey but heads, and it does seem to trickle down to the teams performace.
MLF needs to get over it. The majority of teams in the NFL use the GM>Head Coach in their football operations.
TXCHEESE
January 16, 2026 at 09:07 am
Didn't listen to the podcast, but my main question from the title of this article is, why would someone trade for MLF if they knew GB was looking to to part ways with him? This is not a super bowl winning coach they're dangling out there. Very puzzling why this is even a topic of conversation. I have a hard time believing Lafleur has a high market value as a HC.
I would be very curious to know what Gute thinks of Lafleur. He's been in the league a long time, and he may have a very strong opinion on other candidates out there. I've come to the opinion that the only way Lafleur should stay is if he has a concrete plan for replacing Richy B and Buttkiss, as well as moving Stenavich back to OL coach. The man is not an OC.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
January 16, 2026 at 01:11 pm
Because any team looking to trade for Lafleur is likely in a rebuilding stage. A guy who just made playoffs 3 years in a row with the youngest team in football the entire time should be incredibly appealing to any rebuilding team. Packers are on different timeline than those teams. He got this Packers squad from point A to point B, but now they need a coach to get them to point C (Super Bowl). Rebuilding teams are still stuck at point A and are in no position to be choosers. They are beggars.
SicSemperTyrannis
January 16, 2026 at 01:38 pm
Replacing RB would mean paying him in full for the upcoming season, and also paying whoever winds doing that the job. I don't see GB springing for that ...
GVPacker
January 16, 2026 at 09:51 am
Thanks Andy! Fingers crossed there's still hope Matt Lafleur Is coaching elsewhere next season!
NFLfan
January 16, 2026 at 10:10 am
Packers continuing to look more and more amateurish
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
January 16, 2026 at 01:12 pm
No, they just dont make kneejerk decisions like us fans would like. They do their due dilligence as it should be.
NFLfan
January 16, 2026 at 01:19 pm
Policy has been sitting at Murphy's knee for 13 years
Strat
January 16, 2026 at 01:40 pm
Multiple years of failure and getting worse isn't kneejerk.
Coldworld
January 16, 2026 at 06:43 pm
Give it time to work its way out. You may well be right, certainly the optics aren’t good, but they may be misleading at this point.
The more that comes out, the more it seems that the one thing we should do is reevaluate our whole approach to coaching remuneration. That seems primarily not to be within the authority of either LaFleur or Gute, ironically.
Zekerg
January 16, 2026 at 10:44 am
Trade him for a draft pick so Gutey can reach for a "versatile" player that is bad at multiple positions.
Since'75
January 16, 2026 at 10:53 am
lol...that was worth a smile.
SicSemperTyrannis
January 16, 2026 at 01:40 pm
Rah rah, that's the spirit
Rebelgb
January 17, 2026 at 11:12 am
Right!
Time to draft a Tackle and hope he can learn to play Center.
Its the Packer way.
BruceC1960
January 16, 2026 at 10:45 am
I listened to your show yesterday with Justus. Really troublesome how the Packers value their assistant coaches.
Seeing how Getsy, Hackett and Montgomery (among others) struggled after long stays in Green Bay makes me believe they were overrated because of being part of the Packer brand. My question is this, Matt is certainly aware that the Packer way is to not pay enough to attract top assistants, why would he want to stay.
Strat
January 16, 2026 at 01:37 pm
I watched that podcast too. It was very interesting. They bring Getsy and Hackett back after being bounced. The only comment I remember about Hackett was Rodgers saying he made it fun. That doesn't mean a whole lot.
NFLfan
January 16, 2026 at 04:43 pm
He was Rodger's personal confidante-he did not impart football wisdom to Aaron
Strat
January 16, 2026 at 01:34 pm
I wonder if what I've read today is true. And that is Mr. Policy doesn't want to extend him for more than a year or two and MLF wants five years. If so, at least he's showing one vertebrae of backbone. Here's hoping he uses the whole thing and does the right thing for this team.
SicSemperTyrannis
January 16, 2026 at 01:41 pm
I'll drink to that! 🍻
NFLfan
January 16, 2026 at 04:45 pm
MLF should not be rewarded with a 5 year contract-a 1 year 'prove it' would motivate him
.