PHOENIX – Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur spoke to the media on Monday morning during the NFC coaches breakfast at the NFL Annual Meeting.
Here are five things we learned.
- LaFleur is "ecstatic" for Year 8, taking a fresh look at offense.
The Packers' head coach agreed to a contract extension in January, along with General Manager Brian Gutekunst and executive vice president of football operations Russ Ball.
It comes after LaFleur led the Packers to three NFC North titles, two NFC Championship appearances and 76 regular-season wins, tied with Paul Brown for second-most in NFL history for the most wins by a head coach in his first seven seasons.
Entering the final year of his most recent extension, LaFleur said he tried not to worry "too much" about contract talks as the situation was "out of my control." He maintained steady communication with President and CEO Ed Policy and called the negotiation process a "positive experience."
"Certainly, I'm ecstatic to obviously be back with the Packers," LaFleur said. "This is a 1-of-1 organization. I love the people that we have in our building, in our organization, not only on our team but like within the totality of the organization."
The Packers have made the playoffs in six of LaFleur's seven seasons but have not advanced to the NFC title game since the 2020 season. LaFleur is highly motivated to get over that hump.
As the offensive play-caller, LaFleur said he went through an extensive evaluation process this offseason, beginning with stripping "everything down" and starting "like it's Year 1 all over again" when it comes to details and installs.
"I was confident in what we've been able to do," LaFleur said. "Certainly, are we satisfied? Hell no. Not even close. We always want more. Until you're hoisting that Lombardi, you're not gonna be satisfied, and even then, you're gonna wanna do it again.
"I'm certainly grateful of the opportunity. I love this organization, the city, the people, the community but I love our players, too."
- Packers want to finish games better in 2026.
One key point of emphasis for LaFleur and his coaches has been searching for answers to Green Bay's struggles when it came to closing out games last year.
The Packers saw early leads dissipate in matchups with Cleveland, Dallas, Carolina, Philadelphia and twice against Chicago, first in a 22-16 overtime loss in Week 16 and again during a 31-27 defeat in the NFC Wild Card playoffs.
The Packers led 21-3 at halftime and 21-6 entering the fourth quarter in the playoff game before the Bears and Caleb Williams registered 25 points during their fourth-quarter comeback.
"I think it's gotta be constantly on our mind because that is the one thing that we did not do last year," LaFleur said. "We lost way too many games late in the game where we had leads or just had opportunities to close people out, and we didn't get it done."
- LaFleur believes clarity and cohesiveness are critical to that process.
LaFleur feels strongly about the Packers' leadership, beginning with quarterback Jordan Love. He also lauded the addition of veterans Javon Hargrave and Zaire Franklin not only for what they'll add on the field but also inside a young locker room.
The Packers have stressed thorough communication throughout LaFleur's time as head coach, acknowledging "connected teams are powerful teams." However, that's something LaFleur wants to drive home with players once they return for the offseason program next month.
A conversation inside the building right now is how Green Bay can get the team "a little closer." The coaches also must get players to buy-in, understanding their roles and how that could evolve throughout the course of the year.
"I just think it's gonna take a consistent approach," LaFleur said. "If I'm being honest about it, I think there were some guys that were upset about roles last year, and I think that took a toll on our football team.
"You need guys that bring great energy every day. I think from a coaching standpoint, role clarity is key. So, we've got to obviously do a better job communicating with our players, 'Hey here's your role and if you're unhappy about your role, it's on you to do something about that, to carve out a role on this football team.'"
- Matt LaFleur values Jonathan Gannon's head-coaching experience.
LaFleur set a new direction for Green Bay's defense when he tabbed the former Arizona Cardinals head coach to succeed Jeff Hafley, who left to accept the Miami's head-coaching post.
Prior to his three seasons leading the Cardinals, Gannon coordinated Philadelphia's defense during the Eagles' run to Super Bowl LVII.
LaFleur has been complimentary in the past of Gannon both as a head coach and defensive mind. Those beliefs were solidified when Gannon came to Green Bay to interview for its vacancy at defensive coordinator.
"I thought it was pretty clear when he came in there, man, the guy knows football," LaFleur said. "He's got a passion for football. He's done it at a high level. Obviously, what he did in Philly was pretty remarkable, getting them to the Super Bowl and I just love the experience that he has as not only a play caller but as a head coach as well, somebody that I'll be able to bounce things off of from time to time."
Gannon historically has operated out of a 3-4 base front, but LaFleur said he doesn't expect it to be too big of a shift from what Green Bay did in Hafley's 4-3 scheme based on how prevalent nickel formations are in today's NFL and the variance in base looks Green Bay utilized in 2025.
"If you really look at it last year, I know on paper we were 4-3 but we ended up getting into a lot of odd structures," LaFleur said. "Whether it was (Isaiah) McDuffie going down on the ball or Hop (Ty'Ron Hopper). So, we played a lot of 3-4 principles, I would say, last season. It's just who is in that position more so than the scheme."
LaFleur also doesn't believe the philosophical shift will make much difference when it comes to the pass rush or Micah Parsons, adding there is nothing the four-time All-Pro can't do. In the meantime, Parsons continues to make progress from the torn ACL he suffered against Denver in December.
"We've got a plan," LaFleur said. "I don't ever wanna put limitations on people, but obviously there's a process and the medical has to feel really good about it before we put a guy back out there coming off that significant of an injury."
- New special teams coordinator Cam Achord comes highly recommended.
LaFleur was expecting Rich Bisaccia to return as special teams coordinator in 2026 but moved quickly to secure Achord as the unit's new leader after Bisaccia's resignation.
Achord, who assisted the New York Giants' special teams the past two seasons, developed in New England under Bill Belichick and highly regarded special teams coach Joe Judge.
Achord assisted Judge for two years before being promoted to the Patriots' special teams coordinator in 2020, a position he served for four seasons.
LaFleur didn't know Achord but said his name frequently came up in discussions with other coaches around the league. In fact, Bisaccia also recommended Achord while providing LaFleur with a list of potential coordinators during his exit.
"The timing wasn't the best when you're trying to hire a new special teams coordinator, but I was super impressed," LaFleur said. "He's done it in New England. He's learned from arguably the greatest or one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, so I'm really excited about what he's gonna bring to our special teams."
