If Packers’ Coach Matt LaFleur Returns, Finding High-Level Assistants Could Be Tough

Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley seems likely to land a head coaching position soon.

Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia seems unlikely to return.

And several other coaching changes could be looming in the NFL’s smallest city.

If Matt LaFleur returns as the Packers’ head coach in 2026, one of the biggest questions he’ll face is what kind of staff can he assemble?

If the Packers bring LaFleur back, his seat will won’t be warm.

It will be scalding.

So filling out his coaching staff — one that was already mediocre to begin with — could be an immense challenge.

“Finding high-level people won’t be easy,” one high ranking league official told me Thursday. “All things being equal, Green Bay’s a good place to work, but everything’s not equal right now.

“There’s a long list of questions people would have to ask. What kind of job security will LaFleur have? What happens if the team starts poorly? I mean, they fired (Mike) McCarthy during the season not that long ago (2018).

“Most people won’t go somewhere for just one season. So does (LaFleur) have more than a year? Who knows?”

Back in 2005, the end appeared near for head coach Mike Sherman and his assistant coaches went running for the exits.

Sherman was stripped of his general manager duties after the 2004 season and was replaced by Ted Thompson. Sherman retained his head coaching job, but was clearly on thin ice.

Some coaches left because they saw the writing on the wall for Sherman. Others left due to Sherman’s lack of communication skills and for not listening to the other coaches on his staff.

Either way, it was a mess.

“The head coach thought he was the only one with any brains,” said Johnny Roland, who spent the 2004 season coaching Green Bay’s running backs before taking that same position in New Orleans in 2005. “There was a lot of collective knowledge in the people that have left. And that knowledge wasn’t listened to.”

Roland was asked back then what he’d tell a friend that was offered a job under Sherman. His response?

“How bad do you need a job?”

That’s what many assistants could soon be asking if LaFleur is retained.

Hafley would be the toughest coach to replace. While Green Bay’s defense wilted at the end of 2025, the Packers still finished 12^th in total defense (311.8) and 11^th in scoring defense (21.2).

In 2024, Hafley’s defense ranked sixth in both scoring (19.9) and total defense (315.6).

“Hafley’s going to do a great job on the interview and I fully anticipate him getting one of these,” LaFleur said on Sunday. “I would be so happy for him because he deserves it and he’s a great friend, he’s a great man, he’s a great coach.

“I’d hate to see him leave for us, but at the same time, that’s what this business is all about and he’s earned those (opportunities), so I’m excited for him in that regard. But we’ll make sure we have a good plan in place.”

Replacing Bisaccia wouldn’t be as difficult.

Green Bay’s special teams — which have been disastrous for two decades — remained a failure during Bisaccia’s four seasons. The Packers ranked 22^nd in 2022, 29^th in 2023 and 23^rd in 2024.

Green Bay is expected to finish in the bottom quarter in 2025, as well.

Defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington just interviewed in Dallas to be the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator.

In addition, some of LaFleur’s other assistants — such as offensive line coach Luke Butkus — could be on a hot seat themselves after their units had disappointing seasons.

While LaFleur’s future is undoubtedly question No. 1 in Green Bay, the quality of his staff could quickly become a hot button topic, as well.