Packers expected to give Matt LaFleur 'fat new deal'

The Green Bay Packers have been in serious negotiations with head coach Matt LaFleur this week. 

LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst have one year remaining on their current contracts. 

LaFleur appeared to lose leverage before negotiations after the Packers finished the season with five straight losses, including blowing a 21-3 lead at halftime over the Chicago Bears in the wild-card round. 

Per an update from Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated on Saturday, LaFleur is expected to sign a "fat new deal" with Green Bay.

"Negotiations between Matt LaFleur’s camp and the Packers are ongoing—and a number of teams have kept their eye on it, just in case something went the wrong way, given the uptick in what established head coaches are making," Breer wrote.

"For now, the overwhelming likelihood is LaFleur’s there on a fat new deal, with GM Brian Gutekunst being rewarded as well."

The Green Bay Packers shouldn't overpay Matt LaFleur

It'll be interesting to see if negotiations between the Packers and LaFleur move rapidly after the New York Giants finalized hiring John Harbaugh on Saturday. Harbaugh had been tied to Green Bay as a potential option if talks with LaFleur fell through.

Earlier this week, Breer suggested LaFleur could ask for a new deal that would pay $15 million to $20 million per year. Given the way the season ended, the Packers shouldn't overpay LaFleur before he has more postseason success. LaFleur has yet to win the NFC North without Aaron Rodgers.

However, there are other teams around the league desperate enough to pay LaFleur. The Atlanta Falcons could be interested in trading for LaFleur and paying him a hefty salary. The Falcons don't have a first-round pick to trade, but Breer thinks a top-60 draft pick could get a trade done.