The Detroit Lions can see the light at the end of a rough 2025 season. After missing the playoffs, the Lions were given a last-place schedule for 2026, and with the core of a team that played in the NFC Championship Game two years ago and was the No. 1 seed in the NFC in 2024, the seeds for a rebound are in place for next fall.
Of course, there are external factors that need to fall into place. Lions fans may have gained some satisfaction watching the Green Bay Packers blow an 18-point lead en route to a 31-27 loss to the Chicago Bears on Saturday night, but that could be nothing more than a sugar high if the loss costs head coach Matt LaFleur his job.
If the Packers fire LaFleur, it could create a ripple effect in the NFC North and have a long-term impact on the Lions as they continue to chase their championship window.
Matt LaFleur’s Firing Could Make the Packers a Bigger Threat to Lions in 2026
On the surface, it would be a great thing for the Packers to toss LaFleur out of the division. In seven seasons, LaFleur has a record of 76-40-1 and has led the Packers to a pair of NFC Championship Games, as well as to the conference's No. 1 seed in the 2021 season. However, there are also times when LaFleur has gotten in his own way and prevented the Packers from reaching their potential.
This season was a prime example of LaFleur holding the team back. The Packers looked like a Super Bowl contender early in the season, and while injuries to tight end Tucker Kraft, star pass rusher Micah Parsons, and others played a big role, there were too many times when they played with their food, including Saturday’s loss to the Bears.
It’s also notable that LaFleur has a record of 37-30-1 since the start of the 2022 season, and while the Packers have been to the playoffs in each of the past three years, they’ve never been higher than the No. 7 seed.
Having the Packers in the middle isn’t a bad place to be, especially when they could be firing LaFleur with perfect timing. This year’s coaching cycle has an ample number of qualified candidates to replace LaFleur, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter suggesting that former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh could be the favorite if the Packers make the move, citing Harbaugh’s ties to Brian Harlan, who is the son of former Packers president Bob Harlan.
Lions fans could still see some optimism here. The Vikings will either hope that quarterback J.J. McCarthy improves next season or they can find a veteran to upgrade their quarterback play this offseason. The Bears are on top of the world after Saturday night, but have a high level of variance with 12 games being decided by one score or less. But the Packers beat the Lions twice last season and could be even better with the addition of a former Super Bowl champion head coach.
It creates a double-edged sword for Lions fans to consider as the Packers make an important decision in the coming days.