“You Can’t Come Back”: Bill Simmons slams Matt LaFleur after Packers collapse 2 Green Bay Packers head coach Matt Lafleur walks off the field after their wild card playoff game Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers 31-27.

Packers potentially firing Matt LaFleur never made much sense

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Jan 14, 2026 10:17 AM ET

According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Packers are working towards a deal to keep head coach Matt LaFleur in Green Bay, despite speculation in recent days that the franchise could move on following Saturday night’s playoff loss to the Chicago Bears.

However, firing LaFleur never quite made sense, given the adversity that this year’s Packers were forced to navigate.

Injuries really derailed Packers’ season

Green Bay and LaFleur limped into the postseason as the No. 7 seed, with injuries essentially forcing the Packers to play with house money, in their third clash against the Chicago Bears of the season.

LaFleur’s detractors point to the Packers losing Saturday night after leading the Bears 21-3, as the latest postseason collapse and grounds for dismissal, but it was a minor miracle that Green Bay reached the postseason, at all.

Let alone the fact that Parsons made several critical sacks at key junctures late in close games against the Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, and others, that prevented Green Bay from losing and being in a position to reach the postseason, at all.

Matt LaFleur, Packers weigh unlikely QB options as Jordan Love, Malik Willis battle injuries 1 Dec 14, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt Lafleur stands on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The fact of the matter is, this was far from a Packers team close to full strength, and navigating much of the season without Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Parsons, tight end Tucker Kraft, and Devonte Wyatt, and were forced to finish the second game against the Bears with Malik Willis at quarterbck immediately lowered the ceiling for Green Bay.

If the Packers suffer another early exit next January, with a full complement of weapons, or LaFleur is unable to guide a deep playoff run, it may become fair to question his future or even move on from the longtime head coach. However, firing LaFleur after the Packers’ outrageously bad injury luck this season wouldn’t just be reactionary but it would have risked setting the franchise back.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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