Matt LaFleur must overcome unfavorable Packers history for Super Bowl push that needs $186m star to deliver

The Green Bay Packers host the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football, with a head coach running out of time to win it all. The Packers hired Matt LaFleur in 2019, and they have made the playoffs in all but one of those seasons since the appointment. He is 80-43-1 since taking over for Mike McCarthy in 2019 and has twice reached the NFC Championship game – although they were in his first two seasons with the team. Since then they are yet to go beyond the Divisional Round and missed the postseason entirely in 2022 – stats that Packers fans are increasingly aware of. 2026 has seen the Packers make an inconsistent start. At 4-3, despite their winning record Green Bay are last in a competitive NFC North, behind the 6-0 Minnesota Vikings , 5-2 Caleb Williams-led Chicago Bears and 4-2 Detroit Lions. This being LaFleur’s eighth season, some have already suggested he is holding back quarterback Jordan Love and the franchise. Despite a newly inked extension and an enviable regular-season resume, historic precedent suggests the clock is ticking on whether LaFleur can truly turn the Packers back into Super Bowl champions. “They signed him to a contract extension which means they believe in him,” Packers ESPN Nation reporter Rob Demovsky told talkSPORT. “He has taken this team to the playoffs every year he has been here expect for one, which was Aaron Rodgers ‘ last season. “He is very well-thought of in the organization. However, they’ve reached a point where yes they make the playoffs, but they never make a serious run, and I think that’s sort of where it is. “Is he the guy that is ever going to get them over the hump, and it usually happens by now. “There are only two head coaches to win a Super Bowl after their eighth season. It’s getting to the time where they need to be getting to the Super Bowl.” Micah Parsons could save LaFleur’s job It’s 13 months since the blockbuster trade that sent Micah Parsons to the Packers, and it appears Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys is winning. Parsons suited up for 14 games for the Packers in 2025, but is yet to get on the field this year as he continues recovery from a torn ACL. With Green Bay in a fight for a wild-card spot to reach the postseason, Parsons’ eventual return should help. The Packers are ninth across the NFL in pressure rate, stabilizing after a tough start under defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Lukas Van Ness leads the Packers but has just 3.5 sacks, meaning they are bringing pressure, but are ultimately failing to bring the QB down. Parsons is one of the best at getting QB’s down having not had lower than 12 sacks in any of his five seasons in the league. Adding Parsons to that unit should transform a defense that could certainly use him, providing they can stay afloat in the meantime. Parsons is still awaiting clearance for a return to practice , but the hope is that it could come soon , and it couldn’t come sooner for the Packers or LaFleur. Sign up for talkSPORT Stateside , the YouTube channel dedicated to passionate US Sports fans. Will Gavin, Brian T. Smith, former NFL star Efe Obada and a collection of special guests debate the biggest talking points across the NFL, soccer, NBA and more.