The Atlanta Falcons’ head coaching search has entered uncharted waters with a curious name now swirling through NFL rumors: Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
After a disappointing 2025 season and a highly scrutinized offseason, Atlanta finds itself deep into interviews for its next leader, but could a blockbuster trade for LaFleur really be on the table? Recent reports suggest that might not be as farfetched as it initially sounded.
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Atlanta’s coaching carousel includes a long list of candidates, from Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to Seahawks defensive boss Aden Durde, but none come with the same headline splash as LaFleur.
Meanwhile, the Falcons have appointed franchise legend Matt Ryan as president of football operations, tasking him with reshaping a club that once again fell short of expectations.
Ryan‘s presence might be a key reason the LaFleur name keeps surfacing; the two share history from LaFleur‘s early coaching career in Atlanta, when he served as quarterbacks coach from 2015 to 2016. That connection could make the move more appealing to both sides, especially as Atlanta looks to stabilize its offense and culture.
Interest in LaFleur, however, hinges largely on his future with the Packers. After seven seasons in Green Bay, he owns an impressive 76-40-1 regularseason record with six playoff appearances and three division titles, but postseason results have lagged.
LaFleur has managed just one playoff win since 2020, leaving some to question whether his system translates to postseason success. His contract situation is now a central storyline, with extension talks between LaFleur and the Packers reportedly “up in the air.”
While both sides publicly want to keep working toward a deal, there’s no agreement yet, and the longer negotiations drag out, the more uncertain his future seems.
What would a LaFleur trade look like?
Trading a head coach is rare in the NFL, but not unheard of. Historic deals, like Bill Belichick’s move from the Jets to the Patriots or Sean Payton’s trade from New Orleans to Denver, show that compensation packages can vary widely, from earlyround picks to complex exchanges.
If the Falcons and Packers were to strike a deal for LaFleur, analysts speculate that Atlanta might have to part with multiple selections, potentially including a first-round pick in 2027 plus mid-round picks in 2026.
For Atlanta, the appeal is clear: add a proven leader with ties to the organization and an offensive mind capable of developing young quarterbacks. For Green Bay, trading LaFleur could yield valuable draft assets while avoiding a lameduck coaching situation, especially if extension talks collapse.
However, league insiders indicate that the Packers prefer to retain LaFleur and are pursuing a new contract that reflects his market value, reported to be in the $18-20 million range annually.
As the Falcons weigh their options and the Packers continue extension discussions, LaFleur‘s situation has become one of the most intriguing coaching stories in recent NFL history.
Whether he remains in Green Bay or moves to Atlanta, the ripple effects of such a decision would be felt throughout both organizations and could reshape the trajectory of two franchises for years to come.
