Matt LaFleur’s redemption begins in Minnesota but must finish in January

# Why Week 1 matters

Green Bay opens the season in Minnesota, and for Matt LaFleur that game is more than a division matchup. It's the first step in changing a narrative shaped by one collapse at Soldier Field last January that has followed the team into the offseason. That loss — described as a six-and-a-half-minute unraveling — dominated discussion all summer and fed criticism of LaFleur's decision-making.

# What LaFleur has already done

Between September and December, LaFleur's record is hard to argue with. He has 76 wins across his first seven seasons, an average of 10.9 wins per year. Only George Seifert has more victories in that span. His career win percentage ranks 16th in NFL history and fourth among active coaches.

Those numbers matter because they establish LaFleur as a coach who consistently wins regular-season games.

# Quarterback development is a clear strength

LaFleur's resume with quarterbacks is a major positive. Aaron Rodgers earned two MVPs in four seasons with LaFleur. Jordan Love rose into one of the NFC's top passers. Malik Willis revived his career under LaFleur. Kyle McCord improved enough after one offseason to draw a trade interest that cost another team a sixth-round pick.

That track record puts LaFleur in the company of coaches known for elevating quarterbacks.

# January is the sticking point

The losses include three games to the 49ers, a squandered opportunity against Tom Brady's Buccaneers, and the Soldier Field collapse that shaped the narrative entering 2026. That January performance drove much of the offseason discussion and shifted public perception toward harsher criticism.

# The optics and the contract

Green Bay gave LaFleur a new deal, which removed immediate job-security questions inside the organization. Public opinion, though, has become more skeptical. The new contract buys time, but it does not erase the need for postseason validation.

# What redemption looks like

Redemption for LaFleur is twofold: stop late-game collapses that turn comfortable leads into losses, and produce January wins. Starting the season well in Minnesota can help change the narrative, but it will not be sufficient by itself. A successful January — measurable by advancing deeper in the playoffs and avoiding repeat collapses — is the metric that will determine whether criticism fades.

# Practical implications for the Packers