By Moses Joshua 
An unexpected coaching rumor in Green Bay could reshape the NFC North — and not in Detroit’s favor.
A Rival Plot Twist Nobody in Motown Wanted
The Detroit Lions finally reached the end of a frustrating 9–8 season, one that ended not with a playoff berth but with a remote control in hand, watching Chicago and Green Bay battle in the Wild Card round. The sting was doubled when former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson helped the Bears engineer a stunning comeback over the Packers.
But the real punch to the gut came a few days later, courtesy of ESPN insider Adam Schefter.
What he floated wasn’t just another speculative coaching blurb — it was a scenario that could alter the balance of power in the division and leave Detroit staring uphill once again.
Schefter’s Harbaugh Bombshell
After Green Bay’s collapse, rumblings began that Matt LaFleur’s job security might not be as ironclad as it once seemed. At the same time, the Baltimore Ravens stunned the league by parting ways with longtime head coach John Harbaugh, instantly making him the biggest prize on the market.
That’s when Schefter connected dots few Lions fans wanted to see aligned.
“Well, the Packers former president back in the day was a man by the name of Bob Harlan,” Schefter said. “Bob Harlan’s son, Brian Harlan, represents John Harbaugh. John Harbaugh is a midwestern guy who has a home in the Upper Peninsula. A lot of people in the league have been wondering, if the Packers decide to go in a different direction, if all of a sudden, the Green Bay Packers might vault to the top of John Harbaugh’s list as the top available choice for him. This has been a wild crazy coaching cycle, and we might be just scratching the surface.”
Read that again — a built-in relationship, regional ties, and a vacancy that might open at the worst possible time for Detroit.
If Green Bay lands Harbaugh, the NFC North arms race escalates immediately.
LaFleur Downplays the Noise — For Now
To his credit, Matt LaFleur tried to shut down the chatter when asked about his future.
“Now’s not the time for that,” LaFleur said. “That’s not the focus right now, to be honest with you. We’re fresh off this loss, and my sole focus is our players, our team, and just trying to find ways to get better.”
That answer is understandable — but it won’t silence speculation. Coaching markets move fast, and when a Super Bowl–winning coach with Harbaugh’s résumé suddenly becomes available, franchises don’t sit on their hands.
Why This Is a Nightmare Scenario for Detroit
The Lions don’t need reminders about how dangerous the Packers already are. Green Bay beat Detroit twice in 2025 — a season-opening embarrassment at Lambeau and a crushing 31–24 Thanksgiving loss at Ford Field that severely damaged the Lions’ playoff hopes.
Now imagine adding John Harbaugh — a culture builder, motivator, and perennial contender — to that mix.
Detroit is already navigating its own uncertainties: a new offensive coordinator search, aging offensive line pieces, and a fan base wondering whether the magical 15–2 run was a fleeting peak or the start of something sustainable.
If Schefter’s scenario gains traction, the Lions won’t just be trying to fix themselves this offseason — they’ll be trying to keep pace with a rival that might be leveling up in the most brutal way possible.
And that is exactly why Detroit fans won’t like what Adam Schefter just revealed.