Packers have Harbaugh leverage over LaFleur during negotiations

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. David Banks-Imagn Images

Packers have John Harbaugh leverage over Matt LaFleur during negotiations

By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Jan 12, 2026 4:15 PM ET

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Green Bay Packers and Matt LaFleur are expected to try and negotiate a deal to keep the head coach in Wisconsin for the future.

Following the Packers' second-half collapse in a 31-27 loss to the Chicago Bears on Saturday night in the wild-card round, there have been questions about LaFleur's future with the team, especially with former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh available for hire.

LaFleur and Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst have one more season remaining on their current contracts. Green Bay president Ed Policy has stated he doesn't like to have coaches on a lame-duck status.

During an appearance on ESPN's "The Pat McAfee Show" on Monday, Schefter suggested the Packers would become a likely favorite for Harbaugh if Policy and LaFleur are unable to come to an agreement for a new deal.

Schefter also noted that Harbaugh's agent is Bryan Harlan, the son of former Packers president Bob Harlan.

"If the Packers don't get a deal done with Matt LaFleur that opens up the possibility of Green Bay as a potential favorite for John Harbaugh..

His agent is Bryan Harlan and his father Bob Harlan was the president of the Green Bay Packers for 19 years" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/IX3Ft67A5u
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 12, 2026

Green Bay Packers hold some leverage over Matt LaFleur

LaFleur enters the negotiating table with little leverage this week. Much of the Packers fan base is irate after watching the team implode without star pass-rusher Micah Parsons, losing the final five games of the season.

More importantly, the Packers had no excuses after taking a 21-3 lead over the Bears into halftime on Saturday. LaFleur's team was outscored 25-6 in the fourth quarter, leading to one of the most embarrassing losses by Green Bay to its bitter NFC North rival.

On top of that, Policy has extra leverage in negotiations with Harbaugh available, if he wants the job. Green Bay has no reason to get rid of LaFleur this offseason unless ie believes it has a better coach available. Harbaugh would be that candidate this offseason.

If he wants to stay in Green Bay, LaFleur's best option might be to agree to a deal with lower compensation than he would have initially required when the Packers led the division at 9-3-1 after beating the Bears on Dec. 7.

But the market has dramatically changed in two months.

Jordan Sigler

Jordan Sigler is a sports writer with a decade of experience as a journalist, including his time as a breaking news/day cops reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. His sports coverage across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and college football world has also been featured at ChiCitySports, Gridiron Heroics, Pro Football Network, and Athlon Sports. Based in Austin, Texas, Jordan graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Texas Tech University in 2014

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