It’s been a huge weekend in the NFL with the release of Kareem Hunt from the Chiefs and firing of Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy.
The Packers announcement came during McCarthy’s 13th season. In a statement GB President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Murphy released a statement on the team’s decision: “The 2018 season has not lived up to the expectations and standards of the Green Bay Packers. As a result, I made the difficult decision to relieve Mike McCarthy of his role as head coach, effective immediately. Mike has been a terrific head coach and leader of the Packers for 13 seasons, during which time we experienced a great deal of success on and off the field. We want to thank Mike, his wife, Jessica, and the rest of the McCarthy family for all that they have done for the Packers and the Green Bay and Wisconsin communities. We will immediately begin the process of selecting the next head coach of the Green Bay Packers.”
McCarthy lead the Packers to a 125-77-2 record during the regular season and a 10-8 mark in the playoffs. One of those wins included a triumph in Super Bowl XLV, (the team’s fourth Super Bowl title) and 13th overall championship.
The handwriting was on the wall
The Packers won at least ten games eight times in McCarthy’s first 11 seasons, but over the past couple of seasons, their drop in performance foretold his demise. Notable friction between QB Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy also contributed. In 2017, Green Bay finished 7-9
The Packers’ inability to win another championship and team regression with Rodgers still at or near the peak of his prime was the story all season as they lacked talent around him. Most NFL title-contending rosters are built around a high-end quarterback in his prime, but ironically, it led to the Packers’ downfall.
The decision to release McCarthy came following Green Bay’s 20-17 loss at home against the Arizona Cardinals, one of the worst teams in the league. That loss changes the Packers’ record to 4-7-1. Former Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin will serve as interim head coach.
