The coach the quarterback are separated now, but they each have some work to do to stay relevant, says retired NFL lineman Geoff Schwartz.
The Packers finally fired Mike McCarthy after a 20-17 loss to the hapless Cardinals. I’ve written about how this needed to happen, but I figured it wouldn’t until the end of the season.
While it’s unlike the Packers to fire a coach early, this was almost a mercy move for McCarthy’s sake. I’ve played with a lame duck coach. It’s awkward in the facility. McCarthy is a Super Bowl-winning coach and getting rid of him now avoids that situation. So now, where do the Packers and McCarthy go from here?
McCarthy is going to get hired this offseason, if he wants to work. He’s a quality coach who can mentor a young quarterback like he’s done with Rodgers. However, if McCarthy wants to succeed, he must change his offense. It’s hard for old dogs to learn new tricks, but he’s got to be more creative with his playbook. McCarthy has to focus on cultivating a run game and finding easy throws for a quarterback.
Speaking of old dogs learning new tricks, will Aaron Rodgers change his style of play for a new coach?
Offensive coaches will be lining up to work with him because of his talent, but Rodgers’ play has been declining for the last year or so. There could be many reasons for this. He’s been hurt, and he’s aging. He hates his current offense and doesn’t trust what’s happening around him.
But whatever offense he’s in, he will be required to throw the ball on time, which is something he doesn’t always do. His fundamentals have been eroding slightly over time and will need to be fixed.
Do I think Rodgers will adapt to a new system and tighten up his fundamentals? Yes I do. Rodgers will feel energized in a new system and do what’s necessary to make it work.