As the Green Bay Packers approach the conclusion of the 2025 NFL season, president and CEO Ed Policy is reportedly focused on extending contracts for both head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst. This decision comes despite not extending either at the onset of his tenure in 2024.
Plans for Contract Extensions
In a recent column on El-Balad, Policy expressed pride in the team’s performance despite significant injuries throughout the season. Currently, 17 players are on the injured reserve list. The Packers made an astonishing 23 roster changes in Week 18 alone while facing the Minnesota Vikings, a game that had no playoff implications.
Coaching Structure Changes
According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, the Packers might revert to a classical structure where the head coach directly reports to the general manager, unlike the current independent reporting lines. If implemented, this change would support Gutekunst’s position, likely solidifying his role in 2026.
Negotiations for LaFleur’s Future
ESPN’s Adam Schefter suggested that the key issue for LaFleur’s future lies in negotiating a contract extension that satisfies both parties. He emphasized that it is uncommon for teams to allow coaches to enter the final year of their contracts without security. Schefter predicts that extending LaFleur’s contract will be a priority for the Packers management this offseason.
Salary Insights and Historical Context
The Packers have historically adopted a conservative approach to coaching salaries. When LaFleur was hired in 2019, he was paid $5 million per year, which is relatively low for NFL head coaches. Comparatively, many college coaches earn significantly more. In 2025 alone, 47 college coaches were reported to earn over $5 million, highlighting disparities in coaching salaries across leagues.
- LaFleur’s initial coaching salary: $5 million/year
- Ben Johnson (Chicago Bears) salary: $13 million/year
Staffing Decisions and Spending Trends
The Packers continue to prioritize internal promotions over high-priced hires when making staffing decisions. Recent promotions include Ryan Mahaffey, who moved up from assistant offensive line coach to receivers coach.
This pattern of promoting internally extends to special teams and defensive positions, reflecting a broader strategy of cost-saving in coaching. However, the team’s spending on player salaries has increased significantly in recent years, raising questions about their financial strategies for coaching staff.
Financial Considerations
Despite having a solid rainy day fund growing by $43 million in 2024, the team has spent $29 million more on players in 2025 compared to 2024. Comparatively, other franchises, such as the Cleveland Browns, have invested far more in player salaries, highlighting the financial limitations faced by the Packers as a non-profit organization.
In summary, the Packers are navigating critical contract extensions for both LaFleur and Gutekunst amid a backdrop of financial caution and strategic internal promotions. As the team prepares for the future, the decisions made in the coming months will significantly impact the organization’s direction in the competitive landscape of the NFL.
