A lot has changed since Week 1. Let’s start at the top. What’s your take on the firing of Mike McCarthy? Did he deserve to finish out the season? Who would you like to see succeed him next season?
Mike McCarthy has been an excellent coach for the Green Bay Packers and deserves a ton of credit for developing Aaron Rodgers early in his career, and leading the Packers to a Super Bowl and eight consecutive playoff appearances.
But it was absolutely the right decision to make a change. The Packers have never been quite the same since reaching the NFC Championship Game in 2014, despite returning to that stage two years later.
I think both McCarthy and the Packers needed a fresh start. His offense hasn’t evolved and it became stale and predictable. Aaron Rodgers needs fresh ideas.
I can understand the argument that McCarthy deserved to finish the season, but I also agree with Mark Murphy’s decision to make a change sooner. The team looked like it had given up on its head coach during the embarrassing loss to the Cardinals.
By making a change the Packers were able to turn the page and begin their search for a new head coach. It also meant McCarthy didn’t have to spend the next four weeks uncertain about his future. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him offered a head coaching position this offseason.
As for McCarthy’s replacement, that’s a tough call. Right now there isn’t an obvious frontrunner for the job, but I think the next coach needs to be offensive-minded and someone who can help Aaron Rodgers get back to his MVP best.