Imagine this: without the recent expansion of the postseason, the Green Bay Packers would find themselves facing an alarming four-year stretch without a playoff appearance. It's a sobering thought for any team, especially one with such a storied history.
When the NFL decided to increase the number of teams advancing to the playoffs from six to seven per conference in 2020, there was an unexpected silence among coaches regarding the complexities this change might introduce to the road leading to the Super Bowl. But why? The answer is straightforward: for many coaches, making it to the playoffs is the ultimate benchmark for both immediate and long-term job security.
The addition of two extra playoff spots means that two more coaches—whose teams might otherwise fall short—receive the opportunity to compete for the championship each year. Over the past three seasons, this adjustment has played a crucial role for the Packers and their head coach, Matt LaFleur.
To illustrate, the Packers have enjoyed a three-year run as the NFC’s No. 7 seed. If you consider the 2022 season, where a last-minute defeat against the Lions kept them from qualifying, their absence from the playoffs would extend to an alarming four consecutive years under the previous format established before 2020. This trend would undoubtedly reflect poorly on LaFleur's coaching record.
Currently, LaFleur’s contract is set to expire at the end of the 2026 season. In June, Ed Policy, the newly appointed CEO of the Packers, made it clear that neither LaFleur nor General Manager Brian Gutekunst would be offered contract extensions until after the current season wraps up. He also expressed his disapproval of situations where coaches are allowed to coach on a "lame-duck" basis, further emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Thus, the message from the organization couldn't be clearer: Perform well or risk losing your position. The pivotal question of whether the Packers will secure a playoff spot and if LaFleur (alongside Gutekunst) can maintain their roles has been significantly influenced by the league’s decision to introduce a seventh playoff seed five seasons ago.
But here's where it gets controversial: should a coach's fate really depend on the whims of postseason expansions? Does the introduction of additional playoff spots dilute the competitive spirit of the league? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!
