Latest Packers Rumors on Brian Gutekunst's Future amid Matt LaFleur Hot-Seat Buzz After Bears Loss

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst "would appear to stand on firmer ground" than head coach Matt LaFleur as the organization weighs all of its options this offseason, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky.

Demovsky reported the fates of Gutekunst and LaFleur aren't intertwined. If anything, the former could wind up consolidating his authority.

"Team and league sources said the belief is that if Gutekunst returns, he may do so with more power," Demovsky wrote.

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The contracts of Gutekunst and LaFleur both expire after the 2026 NFL season. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday on The Pat McAfee Show the signs are pointing toward retaining the head coach and GM:

However, Demovsky followed up Sunday to write how the Packers' second-half collapse to the Chicago Bears in the NFC Wild Card Round "could complicate the situation" with LaFleur specifically. They were up 21-3 at halftime and maintained an 11-point lead inside the final seven minutes of the contest.

Caleb Williams' 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver DJ Moore put the Bears up with 1:43 in the fourth quarter, completing an incredible comeback.

The result was bad enough to where firing LaFleur at least looks more plausible. The organization may have plateaued when it reached the NFC title game in each of his first two years. It has yet to return to those heights.

Among the two leading figures in Green Bay, Gutekunst would arguably have a stronger case to stick around.

Hiring LaFleur in 2019, while not a complete home run, was a good move. Pivoting away from Aaron Rodgers in 2023 was the right call, and the transition to Jordan Love was pretty seamless. The front office has hit on most of its big roster moves, most notably acquiring defensive end Micah Parsons and signing running back Josh Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney.

Sports are nonetheless a results-based business.

For all of their consistency in the regular season, the Packers have won one playoff game since 2020.

Ed Policy only officially took over as team CEO last July as well. He may not feel as wedded to LaFleur and Gutekunst as his predecessor, Mark Murphy, did.

Whether he decides change is necessary or sticks with the status quo, this winter is an opportunity for Policy to implement his own vision.