The Washington Commanders aren't a part of the NFL playoffs this year, but the teams that did qualify provided no shortage of entertainment on Wild Card weekend.
The highlight was a rivalry clash between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers. It featured a massive second-half comeback, highlight plays left and right, and a heartbreaking loss for a team that's become more than used to playoff disappointment.
For the Packers and former Washington assistant Matt LaFleur, it could force a difficult decision.
Matt LaFleur could be on thin ice in Green Bay after embarrassing playoff collapse
No Commanders fan needs a reminder of the infamous 2013 Mike Shanahan coaching staff, and the mileage it has gone on to obtain. Its members included Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, LaFleur, Raheem Morris, and Mike McDaniel.
McVay and Shanahan have become two of the most untouchable coaches in the NFL. McDaniel is a scheme design wizard, but his struggles to lead a locker room spelled the end of his tenure with the Miami Dolphins. Morris had already been a head-coaching reject when he was on Washington's staff, and he has underwhelmed once again with the Atlanta Falcons.
That leaves LaFleur, for whom the jury is still out.
The Packers have missed the playoffs only once under him, but they haven't reached the NFC Championship game since prime Aaron Rodgers was behind center. Like so many before him who consistently make the postseason yet can't seem to get over the hump, he's begun to fall victim to the most unfortunate coaching narrative: "He's just gotten stale."
In a season in which the Baltimore Ravens moved on from John Harbaugh after 18 years, and the Pittsburgh Steelers may need to win a playoff game for Mike Tomlin to survive, LaFleur would hardly be the first firing to send shockwaves through the league if he is let go. It represents a growing trend throughout all sports today: teams are less content to settle for being "just good enough."
For the Commanders, LaFleur's situation should offer some perspective. Washington would love to be in a position to discuss its head coach's future after making the playoffs in six of the past seven years. Instead, Dan Quinn will be on thin ice in 2026, only two seasons removed from being a game away from the Super Bowl.
Coaches are hired to be fired. They get none of the credit for everything that goes right, and all of the blame for everything that goes wrong.
LaFleur is only the latest to find that out.