Agent rips Packers amid Matt LaFleur contract negotiations

As of Friday morning, there was no real indication that the Green Bay Packers were close to locking head coach Matt LaFleur down via a contract extension. 

Two agents with experience taking part in such contract talks recently spoke with Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the Packers-LaFleur relationship. One of those agents took a shot at the Packers regarding the club's handling of the situation. 

Packers viewed as "a mom-and-pop organization?"

"They’re still a little bit of a mom-and-pop organization," that agent said about the Packers. "You don’t get to hedge your bets. Matt has some leverage. He’s going to want a deal where he can coach knowing he’s not going to get fired."

While a previous report revealed that the Packers planned "to work out a deal" with LaFleur, it was more recently suggested that the club could listen to trade offers from other teams for the coach's services. LaFleur is only under contract through next season, and some have speculated that the Packers may not want to pay big money for a coach who has zero Super Bowl appearances since accepting the job in 2019.

Whispers had also hinted that the Packers could court former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. However, Harbaugh reportedly chose to become the New York Giants' next head coach earlier in the week. 

What Matt LaFleur may want in contract extension

"It’s years, not money," one agent told Silverstein about what LaFleur likely is looking for from the Packers this winter. "It’s about LaFleur having some security, knowing he can coach without worrying about getting fired. He wants to know if he’s their guy. Are they all-in with him? If not, let him go. It’s hard if it’s a one-sided negotiation. They should be all-in. You’ve got to work both sides."

That agent noted that LaFleur would "get a job pretty easy" if the Packers decided to let him explore his options as soon as this coming weekend. It's unclear if Packers team president Ed Policy has a possible replacement for LaFleur in mind now that Harbaugh is no longer an option for the club. That said, it certainly seems that LaFleur is negotiating from a position of strength now that the Giants have their man.