How Packers view Matt LaFleur’s future as coaching rumors swirl

Giants fans may not have to worry about a clearly better job opening in the Frozen Tundra.

The Packers and coach Matt LaFleur will engage after the season in extension talks with the mutual goal of extending the partnership, according to NFL Network.

LaFleur, who has one more year left on his contract, reportedly is not coaching for his job Saturday night when the No. 7 Packers visit the No. 2 Bears.

“Green Bay likes LaFleur, respects him and believes he’s a great fit both in the organization and in the community,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote.

“If everything goes well, the hope is that remains for a long time.”

There had been some speculation that the Green Bay job could potentially open after the season, which would likely then change the John Harbaugh sweepstakes.

LaFleur, 46, has led the Packers to the playoffs in six of his seven years while compiling a 76-40-1 regular-season record, but the postseason results have not been there.

Green Bay has qualified as the No. 7 seed in threes straight seasons, and the Packers have lost four of their last five playoff games.

The thinking went that if things go south Saturday night in Chicago combined with just the one year left on his contract, the parties could perhaps hit a point where they felt it best to go their separate ways.

This report, though, made it clear that even a loss to a bitter rival Saturday night in Chicago won’t change how Green Bay views its coach.

Whether the sides can agree to a financial deal is a different topic and could be where there is some disagreement about the coach’s worth.

NFL Network added that Green Bay held off on an extension last season due to change at CEO, allowing new leader Ed Policy to watch and learn about LaFleur for a year before making a call.

There are eight head coaching openings entering Wild Card weekend, and there will be eyes on Green Bay, Buffalo and Pittsburgh should any of those teams lose their first-round games.

Harbaugh is considered the premier coach available in this cycle, although former Browns coach Kevin Stefanski and ex-Super-Bowl-winning coach Mike McCarthy are interviewing for jobs.