Parsons' season-ending injury puts microscope on Packers HC

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Season-ending injury to Micah Parsons puts microscope on Packers HC Matt LaFleur

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Dec 16, 2025 8:34 AM ET

Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons suffered a non-contact knee injury in a Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos. That clearly shook head coach Matt LaFleur.

Following Green Bay's 34-26 loss to the Broncos, LaFleur didn't confirm reports that Parsons, tied for third in the league in sacks (12.5), tore the ACL in his left knee. But he seemed to have a vacant look in his eyes, indicating the star pass-rusher could miss the rest of the season.

The coach's fear proved true. On Monday, NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport reported that an MRI revealed Parsons tore his ACL and is now expected to miss at least nine months.

When the Packers acquired four-time Pro Bowler Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys in August, they made it clear this season was Super Bowl or bust. Without him, the team's championship chances could evaporate, an unlucky break for LaFleur. Entering the season, he clearly needed a deep postseason run to solidify his future in Green Bay.

#Packers star Micah Parsons has, in fact, torn his ACL and is out for the 2025 season, the MRI confirmed. He faces a 9 month recovery at least. pic.twitter.com/mw2AOQC9XB
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 15, 2025

How Micah Parsons' injury impacts Matt LaFleur's future

This offseason, Ed Policy replaced Mark Murphy as team president. He raised eyebrows when he said he wasn't going to give LaFleur, who has two years left on his contract, an extension. The executive added he was opposed to having an HC enter a season on the final year of his deal. That increased the possibility that the 2025 season could be LaFleur's last in Green Bay.

LaFleur hasn't underachieved in seven seasons with Green Bay. He has a 76-37-1 record and has guided the franchise to three NFC North titles. Just as importantly for the Packers, he helped the team smoothly transition from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love as its starting quarterback in 2023.

Postseason success, however, has eluded him. LaFleur has a 3-5 playoff record and has yet to appear in a Super Bowl as an HC. Despite that, most teams would love to have him.

"I don't understand why he gets the flak he does," Packers running back Josh Jacobs said Sunday, via The Athletic's Michael Silver. "People want him to be perfect. It's wild to me. He has a great record. But that's the world we live in."

The Packers, though, aren't like other organizations. Remember, Green Bay — which has won four Super Bowls — is nicknamed "Titletown." And when the team isn't winning championships, it makes changes.

Despite boasting a 9-4-1 record, the Packers' chance of winning a championship has taken a considerable hit. Still, LaFleur must find a way to pilot his team on a deep postseason run without Parsons. That would quiet the chatter about his job security.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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