Micah Parsons, defensive end for the Green Bay Packers, expressed his desire for head coach Matt LaFleur to remain with the team after his recovery from a serious knee injury. Parsons, who tore the ACL in his left knee during a game against the Denver Broncos on December 14, 2023, believes he could return to the field by Week 3 or 4 of the next season. Speaking publicly for the first time since his injury, he emphasized the importance of LaFleur in his decision to join the Packers.
In the wake of the Packers’ disappointing exit from the playoffs following a loss to the Chicago Bears in the NFC Wild Card round, speculation about LaFleur’s future has grown. Parsons reached out to LaFleur after the game to offer his support. “When I agreed to come here, you were part of the reason why I came here,” Parsons stated. He praised LaFleur’s coaching abilities and his dedication to the players, noting, “I think he’s a great coach.”
LaFleur’s contract has one year remaining, adding uncertainty to his position. Packers president Ed Policy previously indicated a preference against having a lame-duck coach. Despite this, LaFleur has expressed his wish to continue coaching in Green Bay. Reports suggest that the Packers will seek to negotiate a deal to secure his position in the coming days.
Under LaFleur’s leadership, the Packers have achieved a record of 76 wins, 40 losses, and 1 tie over seven seasons. Although the team has secured playoff berths in six of those seasons, they have only triumphed in one playoff game since his arrival, which was against Parsons’ former team, the Dallas Cowboys, in the 2023 season. The Packers have consistently earned the No. 7 seed in the NFC but have not claimed the NFC North title since winning three consecutive division championships from 2019 to 2021.
Parsons’ teammates have also come to LaFleur’s defense. Wide receiver Jayden Reed remarked, “He’s created a winning atmosphere here. I think he’s a great coach.” Following the season’s conclusion, players gathered for their final team meeting. Although LaFleur did not directly address his future, many players reported that he did not indicate an intention to leave.
Receiver Christian Watson shared LaFleur’s message during the meeting, which focused on unity and embracing their current situation regardless of outcomes. Tight end Tucker Kraft expressed confidence in LaFleur’s coaching abilities, stating, “I think a lot of that talk is pretty silly,” referring to speculation about LaFleur’s future.
The Packers faced significant challenges late in the season, notably losing five consecutive games after Parsons’ injury, which culminated in their playoff exit. The team finished the season with numerous injuries, including to Kraft and two starting offensive linemen, Elgton Jenkins and Zach Tom. Despite these setbacks, the Packers demonstrated resilience during their playoff game, leading the Bears by 18 points before ultimately succumbing to a 31-27 defeat.
Parsons voiced his concern over the potential departure of LaFleur, stressing the importance of recognizing good coaching. He challenged his teammates to take accountability for their performance, stating, “At one point, players have to have accountability. How do we let that game go?” His comments highlight the need for reflection and improvement as the team looks toward next season.
