Aaron Rodgers Speaks Out About Packers Coach Mike McCarthy Being Fired
The consensus reaction that Green Bay Packers fans had to the firing of head coach Mike McCarthy was something along the lines of, “It’s about time.”
Meanwhile, despite the well-publicized acrimony between the two men on the football field, quarterback Aaron Rodgers wasn’t quite ready to throw his former coach under the bus.
Josh Tolentino of The Athletic shared what he’d learned from Rodgers on this day of transition on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers touches on his relationship with Mike McCarthy one day after the team fires McCarthy as head coach. pic.twitter.com/9dVCQw3vtd
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) December 3, 2018
Said Rodgers, “The frustrating thing about this year, as much as any other year, is some of the stuff that came out about Mike and I’s relationship. As I told you all here many times on Wednesdays, we’ve met more this year than any other year. We spend a lot of time on Mondays and Wednesdays and Fridays and Saturdays.
“A lot of it is about the game plan and about stuff we like and don’t like, but a lot of it is just talking about life and lessons and thoughts and dreams.
“I really always appreciated that time with Mike to get to know him on a personal level. As much as what was made, the conjecture about him and I’s relationship, it was always built on mutual respect and communication.
“That’s why this is a difficult day for myself and the guys in the locker room.”
All the same, the Packers are 4-7-1, effectively eliminated from playoff contention even though technically they’re mathematically alive; they’re 0-6 on the road this season — only the 49ers, 0-7 on the road and 2-10 overall, share the Packers’ winless status away from home; and they last seriously contended for a Super Bowl in 2016, forever ago in NFL terms where championship windows snap shut in a flash.
Rodgers found out about McCarthy’s firing the same way the average fan did, when the media reported on the move.
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers addressing the media at his locker. Says he was at home with friends and found out like everyone else found out. Said he hasn’t talked to Mike McCarthy yet, but plans to reach out today.
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) December 3, 2018
Afterward, he said he planned to get in touch with his former coach.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers plans to reach out to Mike McCarthy later today. Full context: pic.twitter.com/c47Hf8ZWkq
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) December 3, 2018
As Rodgers put it, “I’m going to reach out here once I’m done with my obligations for the day.
“Like I said, it’s tough. You spend that much time together. So many years and you have a close working relationship and a close friendship off the field.
“It’s tough. I’m sure he’s going through the grieving process, as many of us (who) have known him for a long time and worked with him are, as well.”
As for the Packers’ remaining four largely meaningless games under interim coach Joe Philbin, Rodgers simply said, “This is about pride and finishing something the right way.”
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