Matt LaFleur leaves door open for impactful coaching staff change as Packers look to make necessary adjustments
Rich Bisaccia’s job as a special teams coordinator is not safe after playoff elimination.
We should know soon about Matt LaFleur’s future with the Green Bay Packers, as he is about to discuss his situation and potential contract parameters with the franchise’s leadership. But even if he returns as a head coach for 2026, other coaching staff changes will still be on the table.
Asked about if he would consider moving on from special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Rich Bisaccia, LaFleur wasn’t definitive and left the door open for a change.
“That’s all the stuff that we’re focused on right now,” LaFleur said on Sunday. “Just going through everything, having the conversations with all our coaches, and then we’ll determine all that.”
Just another special teams disaster
The Packers lost the playoff game to the Chicago Bears in large part because of special teams — once again. Kicker Brandon McManus missed two field goals and an extra point, and the unit also allowed a big return and had several penalties.
It’s not an outlier either. The unit was 21st in DVOA, and it was actually worse than that throughout most of the regular season.
“It depends on what aspect of teams you’re talking about,” LaFleur said when asked to evaluate the unit. “The coverage units, we did give up a big return in the game. We didn’t win on the outside, got pinned inside, and the result was a return to the 35-yard line. From a protection standpoint and a coverage standpoint, they’ve got to be on point. For the most part this season, we’ve done a pretty solid job in that regard. We’ve got to make our kicks when we have opportunities to make our kicks.”
Rich Bisaccia was hired by the Packers in 2022 after a stint as an interim head coach for the Las Vegas Raiders. After a year, Bisaccia was promoted to assistant head coach in addition to his special teams duties. He is the third special teams coordinator for the Packers under Matt LaFleur, after unsuccessful stints with Shawn Mennenga and Maurice Drayton.
Defensive staff may change, but for a different reason
The Packers would love to have Jeff Hafley back as a defensive coordinator in 2026, but he has already received five interview requests for head coaching positions. LaFleur expects him to interview well and potentially grab one of those jobs — which would mean a fourth DC under LaFleur if he stays, after Mike Pettine, Joe Barry, and Hafley.
Asked if he would make an internal promotion to replace Hafley, LaFleur wasn’t definitive.
“All options are on the table,” LaFleur mentioned. “That’s something we’ll be working through. I fully anticipate Halfley’s going to do a great job on the interview, and I fully anticipate him getting one of these. I would be so happy for him, because he deserves it. He’s a great friend, a great man, a great coach. I’d hate to see him leave for us, but that’s what this business is all about. He’s earned those opportunities, so I’m excited for him in that regard. We’ll make sure we have a good plan.”
Whether Matt LaFleur stays in Green Bay or not for 2026, the coaching staff should look very different next season.
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