A new chapter begins soon for the Green Bay Packers, with chief operating officer Ed Policy set to replace outgoing president and CEO Mark Murphy at the team’s annual shareholders meeting on July 25. As Policy prepares for his new role, speculation has surged about potential contract extensions for head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst. However, Policy’s comments suggest those expecting quick action may be disappointed.
Ed Policy Cautious on Extension Talks for Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst
LaFleur and Gutekunst both have two years remaining on extensions signed in 2022. While their contracts don’t expire at the end of the upcoming season, many believed early extensions could be on the table to avoid any future uncertainty. However, Policy made clear that no such moves are currently in the works.
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“All three of them [are] under multi-year contracts,” Policy said, referring to LaFleur, Gutekunst and executive vice president Russ Ball. “None of them are up at the end of this year. We won’t be doing anything going into this season.”
This position introduces an element of urgency for the 2025 campaign. Policy, though not ruling out future deals, expressed discomfort with letting key leaders enter the final year of their contracts without clarity.
“I’m generally opposed, I’d never say never, [but] I’m generally opposed to a coach or GM going into the last year of their contract,” Policy said. “That creates a lot of issues.”
Policy emphasized that while extensions won’t happen before the 2025 season, decisions will need to be made by the time both men are entering potential “lame duck status” in 2026.
“I think normally you have a pretty good idea of where that relationship is going when you have two years left, not always, but normally,” said Policy.
LaFleur’s track record supports consideration for an extension. With a .670 career win percentage, he ranks among the NFL’s most successful active coaches, yet his postseason resume remains under scrutiny. The Packers haven’t returned to the Super Bowl since 2011 and have just one playoff win since Aaron Rodgers’ departure.
Gutekunst, meanwhile, has overseen a critical roster transition and now faces the challenge of converting potential into sustained contention. Last season, he highlighted that the organization must elevate its level of urgency moving forward.
Policy’s comments also reinforced his commitment to the organizational structure implemented by Murphy in 2018, where LaFleur, Gutekunst and Ball all report directly to the team president. While Policy isn’t ruling out future structural adjustments, he affirmed his initial intention to maintain the status quo.
“I see the president’s role as it relates to football operations as really selecting football leadership, guiding them and giving them all the resources they need, and supporting them, evaluating them and then ultimately holding them accountable,” Policy explained.
Still, he’s not interested in micromanagement: “No team needs two head coaches or two GMs,” continued Policy.
Ultimately, while Policy holds LaFleur and Gutekunst in high regard, his approach signals a measured evaluation period ahead. With no extensions imminent, the 2025 season becomes a proving ground, one where performance, culture, and alignment will all be under close watch.