Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy and general manager Brian Gutekunst say quarterback Aaron Rodgers won’t have input in the team’s coaching search. Rodgers had to answer questions about his interest in being involved on Monday.
He says he doesn’t need to be involved.
“I’m obviously an older player in the league, I still have a number of years on my contract, would love to still play to 40, and I think there’s an interest on who the next guy would be,” Rodgers said, “but Mark [Murphy] and Brian [Gutekunst] and I have always had good lines of communication. Their offices like they say are always open . . . . I’m not needing to be involved in that process.”
It’s coming out that Rodgers was very often frustrated with the dispatched Mike McCarthy. Still, Rodgers maintains, as he always has, that he wants to be coached.
“I enjoy being coached,” Rodgers said. “I think any player does. You love the conversations, the feedback, and I think any great player holds himself to really high standards so first you have to be very critical of your own performance, but it’s always nice having a voice in there that’s gonna hold you accountable. I think any player, especially an older player, you want that, you want that feedback, somebody holding you accountable, someone coaching you up.”
Even if Rodgers isn’t directly involved in the coaching search, despite what the powers that be say, he will certainly have sway in the decision. The Packers aren’t going to hire someone they don’t think will mesh with Rodgers. That likely means another offensive-minded coach, as McCarthy was.
There has already been speculation about Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Interim coach Joe Philbin will get at least a passing glance. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley would be a home run. Vikings offensive coordinator John DeFilippo has to be in the conversation.
No doubt this will be interesting.