The fact that nearly everyone who covers the team felt this move was inevitable speaks volumes.
Sunday was Aaron Rodgers’ and Aaron Jones’ birthday. Though the two Green Bay Packers were born 11 years apart, they have become focal points of the team’s offense, one earning a pair of MVP awards and the other holding the distinction of being the NFL’s most efficient running back so far in 2018.
On Sunday, neither one played up to those lofty descriptions, as the Packers inexplicably lost to the 2-9 Arizona Cardinals at home. Then, a few hours later, the two got what was likely a bittersweet birthday present: head coach Mike McCarthy was fired.
McCarthy has taken heat for the way he has managed Jones, perhaps more than any other single issue this season. Between failing to work him into the featured running back role early enough and going long stretches of games without giving him the football (one tough in the second quarter on Sunday after ten in the first), that has been one of the biggest complaints Packers fans have had with the former head man.
Of course, it was the deterioration of the offense’s overall production and Aaron Rodgers’ success as a passer that were probably the two biggest reasons that Mark Murphy relieved McCarthy of his duties. A Rodgers-led offense should never rank 26th in the league in converting third downs. And it certainly should never lose when favored by two touchdowns at home against one of the worst — if not the worst — team in the NFL.
Now, McCarthy is gone. Murphy will reportedly be deciding on the next head coach, with general manager Brian Gutekunst providing substantial input rather than making the decision himself. It’s a lot to take in, but let’s try to make some sense of it on this bizarre Monday morning.
Packers ‘not good enough’ to beat Cardinals | Packers.com
After McCarthy got the axe last night, it's almost easy to forget the loss earlier in the day that precipitated the move. Here's a look back at that game before we begin to fully look forward.
Green Bay Packers coaching search: Packers could go two ways with hire | Packersnews.com
The two paths envisioned here involve either someone with NFL or major college head-coaching experience, or a young and creative offensive mind. But a couple of names actually fit both criteria.
Michael Cohen: How and why the Packers parted ways with Mike McCarthy – The Athletic
It's clear that Gutekunst supports this move; otherwise it would not have been made so quickly after this abysmal performance. Both Murphy and interim coach Joe Philbin will speak to the media this afternoon, starting at 1:45 PM Central.
30 candidates Packers may consider to replace Mike McCarthy | The Packers Wire
Our Jason Hirschhorn threw five names out there overnight. If you want a look at just about every possibility, here's a much broader list of ideas.
Mike McCarthy era ends in Green Bay during thirteenth season - NFL.com
Mike Silver notes that the timing of the move allows the Packers to get a head start on finding McCarthy's replacement. If the team is interested in any college coaches (*cough* Lincoln Riley), the time off before bowl games would make for an ideal interview period.
Darts has a farting controversy, and nobody agrees who smelt it or dealt it - SBNation.com
Here's a lighter story to give you a laugh in light of everything going on in Green Bay. This story stinks, but still not as badly as the Packers' third-down offense does.
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