Packers' Matt LaFleur mulls low survey grade, cites need to grow 'connection' with players - ESPN

PHOENIX — As grateful as he is to be back for an eighth season as the Green Bay Packers coach and with a contract extension to boot, Matt LaFleur said he's aware of the issues that have prevented his team from making a Super Bowl run despite three straight playoff appearances and six in his seven seasons.

Speaking Monday for the first time since signing his extension in January after the Packers' wild-card loss to the Chicago Bears — one of several games last season in which they blew late leads — LaFleur did not duck the low grade he received in the NFLPA's annual player survey, but explained why he thinks he might have been one of only six coaches to receive lower than a B.

LaFleur received a B-minus after getting an A-minus the previous year. According to the survey, which was not supposed to be made public this year but was obtained by ESPN and other media outlets, some players dinged LaFleur when it came to «respect for players.»

«I don't feel that way, but unfortunately some guys did,» LaFleur said at the NFL annual meetings. «That tells me I gotta do a better job of communicating. It goes back to the relationship piece. I think it's so critical. We always talk about connected teams are powerful teams, and we have to grow that connection.

»Certainly that's been a topic of conversation within our building of — how do we get these guys a little closer? Because the more they know each other, I think the more they're going to battle for one another."

After a 9-3-1 start in 2025, the Packers lost their last five games, finishing as the No. 7 seed in the NFC for the third straight season. They have won only one playoff game in that stretch, have not won the NFC North since 2021 and have not played in the NFC championship