Matt LaFleur, Packers agree to contract extension despite ugly playoff exit

Matt LaFleur’s final game in Green Bay will not be last week’s NFC wild-card loss to the Bears.

The Packers and LaFleur agreed to a contract extension on Saturday, according to multiple reports.

Exact details of LeFleur’s deal with Green Bay are unclear, with NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reporting that it is a multiyear extension.

Despite LaFleur’s future initially being up in the air, there was reportedly no serious consideration of the franchise moving on from the head coach, according to Pelissero.

Green Bay is now also expected to extend the contracts of general manager Brian Gutekunst and executive vice president Russ Ball.

Following the Packers’ devastating 31-27 loss to the Bears, speculation rose that the Packers could part ways with LaFleur, because he has just one playoff win in the past five seasons with the franchise.

Before the extension, LaFleur had just one year left on his current deal, with team president Ed Policy saying that he does not like having his coaching staff in a lame-duck situation.

When asked about where he stood with Green Bay following the playoff loss, LaFleur said he was only focused on his players.

“That’s not the focus right now, to be honest with you,” LaFleur told reporters. “We’re fresh off this loss. My sole focus is on our players, our team and just trying to find ways to get better.”

Since taking over the helm of Green Bay in 2019, LaFleur has amassed a 76-40 regular season record, along with reaching the postseason in six of his seven seasons as head coach.

On Tuesday, Aaron Rodgers — who played under LaFleur for four seasons — praised his former coach, saying that he’s “done a lot of great things in Green Bay and we had a lot of success.”

LaFleur was “speechless” when he heard Rodgers’ words, calling it “one of the nicest complements,” he’s ever heard.

“I’m speechless,” LaFleur told The Athletic’s Michael Silver via text. “He didn’t have to do that, but he did. (It’s) one of the nicest compliments (of) my life. I’m so appreciative of him for that.”