Packers' Matt LaFleur Responds to Low NFLPA Report Card Grade Over 'Respect for Players'

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur admitted his declining grade in one of the categories on the NFLPA report card is something he will work to correct going forward.

Speaking to reporters from Phoenix where the NFL is holding its annual league meeting, LaFleur was asked about his B-minus grade in the annual player survey and particularly the criticism about "respect for players" that he was dinged for:

"I don't feel that way, but unfortunately some guys did. That tells me I gotta do a better job of communicating. It goes back to the relationship piece. I think it's so critical. We always talk about connected teams are powerful teams, and we have to grow that connection. Certainly that's been a topic of conversation within our building of—how do we get these guys a little closer? Because the more they know each other, I think the more they're going to battle for one another."

Even though this year's survey was not made public by the NFLPA after the NFL won a grievance filing, ESPN's Kalyn Kahler obtained the results from all 32 teams, with the Packers head coach receiving a B-minus and the organization finishing 21st overall.

This year's results mark a stark decline from 2025 when the Packers ranked seventh overall and LaFleur himself was graded an an A-minus. He received high marks for being efficient with players' time, but it was noted he was only "moderately" receptive to locker room feedback.

LaFleur was one of only six head coaches who received a grade lower than a B in the 2026 survey. The others were Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns), Pete Carroll (Las Vegas Raiders), Jim Harbaugh (Los Angeles Chargers), Brian Daboll (New York Giants) and Brian Callahan (Tennessee Titans).

From that group, LaFleur and Harbaugh led their teams to the playoffs. The four others were fired, with Daboll and Callahan losing their jobs during the season.

Stefanski and the Browns received the lowest grade among head coaches with a C-minus.

Harbaugh has been incredibly successful wherever he has coached, but he's also one of the most unique personalities in the NFL that it's easy to see how that could become grating enough to impact his grade.

LaFleur has, in many ways, quietly gone about business and had tremendous success in seven seasons with the Packers. His .654 winning percentage (76-40-1) ranks 16th all-time among NFL head coaches, but he's just 3-6 in nine playoff games.

There are also plenty of things that happen behind the scenes fans and the media aren't privy to that could impact the grade for LaFleur, but the overall body of work puts him in unique company among active head coaches.