The Green Bay Packers are heading into a pivotal 2025 season, not just on the field, but within their front office. While no immediate shakeups are planned, one thing is clear: general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur will not be receiving contract extensions before or during the season.
This development comes as the organization prepares for a leadership transition at the very top. Longtime team president Mark Murphy is set to retire in July upon reaching the Packers’ mandatory retirement age of 70. His successor, Ed Policy, has already been named. Policy, who has worked his way up within the organization, is now positioned to effectively become the controlling authority in a franchise without a traditional owner.
During a recent interview, Policy stated that he does not intend to extend Gutekunst or LaFleur this year, even though both have two years remaining on their contracts. However, he also made it clear that he does not favor having a “lame-duck” general manager or head coach—where leadership enters the final year of a contract without clarity about their future.
This move—or lack thereof—feels like a calculated decision to evaluate the team’s trajectory under its current leadership for one more season. It also signals a possible “prove-it” year for both LaFleur and Gutekunst, even if no one within the organization is using that language publicly.
A New Era with Ed Policy
Policy’s rise to the presidency is the most significant leadership change in Green Bay in over a decade. The Packers, unique in their structure as a publicly owned franchise, rely heavily on the president to serve as the de facto decision-maker. The change in leadership introduces new philosophies and priorities that could shift the team’s direction moving forward.
Unlike typical new executives who might lean on vague, diplomatic statements, Policy’s approach has been refreshingly direct. His choice to delay extensions has opened the door for speculation: Is he waiting to better understand the dynamics at the top? Or is he setting the stage for a potential overhaul if 2025 doesn’t meet expectations?
LaFleur and Gutekunst: A Track Record of Success
Despite the contract pause, both LaFleur and Gutekunst have strong resumes to stand on.
Since becoming head coach in 2019, LaFleur has compiled a 56-27 regular season record, including three 13-win seasons. He helped navigate the team through the dramatic Aaron Rodgers era and managed a successful quarterback transition to Jordan Love, who showed major progress in 2024. LaFleur’s ability to handle high-pressure situations and maintain winning seasons puts him among the more successful coaches in the NFL today.
Gutekunst, while sometimes criticized—particularly around the Jordan Love pick—has ultimately been vindicated. Love’s emergence as a franchise quarterback supports that controversial 2020 draft decision. Gutekunst also modernized the Packers’ free-agency strategy, bringing in key acquisitions such as Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Xavier McKinney, and Josh Jacobs, and most recently investing in guard Aaron Banks and cornerback Nate Hobbs.
What’s Next?
If Green Bay performs well this season, it’s likely both LaFleur and Gutekunst will be extended early in 2026 to avoid entering lame-duck territory. But a disappointing season could introduce questions about long-term leadership. LaFleur, in particular, could become a target for other teams if his contract status remains unresolved, much like Kevin O’Connell was rumored to be at the end of last season in Minnesota.
With the coaching carousel always turning and agents working behind the scenes, even stability can breed uncertainty.
Final Thoughts
The Packers are at a turning point—not just with their roster, but organizationally. Ed Policy’s first major decision is a non-decision: wait and see. But as is often the case in the NFL, waiting can be as strategic as acting. All eyes will be on Green Bay this season, not only to see how the team performs, but how a new president defines the next era of Packers football.
