It's the ultimate contradiction. Matt LaFleur is winning games and hitting milestones at a rate rarely seen in the NFL, yet talk of his Green Bay Packers future has echoed throughout the fanbase all season.
Much of the criticism came from frustrated Packers fans, largely because of the team's initial inability to overcome Tucker Kraft's season-ending injury, as they managed just 20 points in home defeats to the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles.
The conversation ramped up after that, and LaFleur even faced a question about his job security at his postgame presser. It was valid and fair to ask, given team president Ed Policy's surprising decision not to extend LaFleur's contract in the offseason, but any talk about hot seats always felt way off the mark.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who just overcame a heavyweight battle versus LaFleur's Packers, doesn't understand the negativity about his opposite number.
"That's crazy," Payton told The Athletic's Michael Silver after the game, regarding the talk about LaFleur's future. "Just look at his winning percentage. I think he's really good."
Sean Payton believes talk about Matt LaFleur's future with Packers is 'crazy'
Payton makes a good point. Look at his winning percentage.
LaFleur is in Year 7 with the Packers and has recorded an outstanding 76 victories in his first 114 games, a staggering 67.1 percent win rate that ranks 13th in NFL history. LaFleur wins at a higher percentage than Andy Reid, Bill Belichick, Sean McVay, and his most recent opponent, Sean Payton.
It's not just how often LaFleur wins, but the speed at which he is smashing through milestones. After beating the Chicago Bears in Week 14, LaFleur tied Paul Brown's record of 76 victories in his first seven seasons, which is tied for No. 2 in league history.
By the end of LaFleur's third year, he had accomplished something no coach ever had by winning 13-plus games in three consecutive seasons.
We could keep going.
Many dismissed his early success due to "having Aaron Rodgers." It was bizarre and disrespectful to LaFleur, who inherited a Packers team that had failed to make the playoffs for two straight seasons, with many wondering whether Rodgers' best years were a distant memory. Under LaFleur's guidance, Rodgers won his third and fourth MVP awards.
LaFleur won with Rodgers. Now he's winning with Jordan Love. Since the start of the Love era, the Packers are 29-18-1 and on course for a third playoff berth in as many years. It will be LaFleur's sixth trip to the postseason on seven tries.
That's why using LaFleur's name in the same sentence as the words "hot" and "seat" is so absurd.
He isn't perfect. At times, the play-calling has strayed into conservative territory with the Packers seemingly playing not to lose. Other times, LaFleur receives heat for being too aggressive, like Jordan Love's deep shot to Christian Watson last week that resulted in an interception (and Watson injuring his shoulder). The Packers led by nine points and didn't need to force the issue.
But LaFleur has also been dealt a tough hand this season with an offensive line that can't consistently run block. That effectively tied one hand behind his back, as teams responded with soft coverages and dared the Packers to run the ball, something his offensive line couldn't take advantage of.
Tucker Kraft was the equalizer with his yards-after-catch ability, while Christian Watson's return has changed the game following Kraft's season-ending injury.
LaFleur recently surpassed Mike Holmgren for victories inside the first seven seasons. That's the level at which he's operating.
The difference is postseason success. By the end of Holmgren's seventh year, he boasted an impressive 9-5 playoff record, reaching two Super Bowls and winning one. LaFleur is currently 3-5 in playoff football, the only remaining hurdle he needs to clear. It makes this January a big one, only made more challenging after losing Micah Parsons.
But there's no doubting LaFleur's ability as a head coach. His teams never quit, and he has made a habit of winning. Fan frustration is understandable, as no coach is perfect, but Payton's reaction is how the rest of the NFL would feel if the Packers parted ways.
LaFleur is a world-class coach and should unequivocally remain in Green Bay. When in doubt, follow Payton's advice: Just look at his record.
Winning is the only currency that matters, and LaFleur does that at a historic level.