General manager Brian Gutekunst, head coach Matt LaFleur, and President and CEO Mark Murphy of the Green Bay Packers address the media during a press conference introducing LaFleur as head coach at Lambeau Field on January 09, 2019. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Green Bay Packers President Mark Murphy was vague when questioned about contract extensions for head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst this offseason. However, it appears that both will remain with the team for the foreseeable future.
According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, a league source confirmed that LaFleur, Gutekunst, and vice president Russ Ball all signed extensions and will stay in Green Bay “for years to come.”
Demovsky reported that both Gutekunst and LaFleur were nearing the end of their contracts before the 2022 season. Gutekunst, promoted to general manager in 2018, had a five-year contract expiring this year. LaFleur was hired in 2019 with a four-year deal and a fifth-year option.
During the Packers’ shareholders meeting at Lambeau Field on Monday, Murphy praised LaFleur, Gutekunst, and Ball, though he did not provide specifics about their extensions, which Demovsky noted were completed “well before” the start of training camp.
“I prefer to keep [contract extensions] internal, but my comments [to the shareholders] show I think they’re doing an outstanding job,” Murphy said.
Under Gutekunst, the Packers have a 45-19-1 record. LaFleur’s 39-10 record as head coach is the best for an NFL coach in his first three seasons. Although the team hasn’t reached the Super Bowl during their tenure, they’ve played in two NFC Championship Games.
The Packers finished first in the NFC last season, and with two-time reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers returning, they are among the favorites to represent the conference in Super Bowl LVII.
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