Green Bay Packers Fire Coach Mike McCarthy

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers have fired coach Mike McCarthy and made offensive coordinator Joe Philbin the interim head coach.

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 07: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers watches his team against the Detroit Lions during the second half at Ford Field on October 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

The move announced by team president Mark Murphy came after a stunning 20-17 loss on Sunday to the Arizona Cardinals, dropping Green Bay to 4-7-1.

Murphy, in a statement, said the 2018 season "has not lived up to the expectations and standards of the Green Bay Packers. As a result, I made the difficult decision to relieve Mike McCarthy of his role as head coach, effective immediately."

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 02: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers watches from the sideline during the second half of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field on December 02, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Murphy said the process of hiring the next head coach would begin immediately.

McCarthy was in his 13th season as coach. The Packers won the Super Bowl under McCarthy in the 2010 season. He finishes with a record of 125-77-2.

"Mike has been a terrific head coach and leader of the Packers for 13 seasons, during which time we experienced a great deal of success on and off the field," Murphy said.

GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 15: Head coach Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrate after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field on October 15, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

But this is a third straight year in which Green Bay has had extended struggles.

In 2016, the Packers started 4-6, then won eight straight games to get to the NFC title game, losing to the Atlanta Falcons. Green Bay finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs in 2017, when Aaron Rodgers missed extensive time with a broken collarbone.

McCarthy shook up his coaching staff, including bringing Philbin back as offensive coordinator and hiring Mike Pettine to replace Dom Capers as defensive coordinator. Different problems emerged.

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers yells at an official after the Packers were called for penalty in the third quarter against the Washington Redskisat FedExField on September 23, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

 

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 02: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals hugs Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers after a game at Lambeau Field on December 02, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

This year, Rodgers hurt his left knee in the season opener, though he is feeling better now. Receivers Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison have missed time with injuries. The same issues kept popping up for the offense, most glaringly, empty third downs and a lack of explosive plays.

GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 06: Head coach Jim Caldwell of the Detroit Lions and head coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers meet after the Detroit Lions beat the Green Bay Packers 30-17 at Lambeau Field on November 6, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Rodgers was asked after the game — but before McCarthy's firing was announced — how much blame offensive players should get if the Packers made a coaching change after the season.

"Yeah, a lot probably. We haven't played very well," Rodgers said. "We all take part in the disappointments and the failures that we've had this season. We've had a number of opportunities. It's not like we're getting blown out in a bunch of games. We're in games."

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 02: Randall Cobb #18 of the Green Bay Packers is tackled by Budda Baker #36 of the Arizona Cardinals and David Amerson #38 during the second half of a game at Lambeau Field on December 02, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Cobb's return on Sunday didn't help, with the Packers just 3 of 14 on third downs.

"I hate to repeat myself, but it's applicable. ... We're not executing the right way," Rodgers said.

"It's poor throws, not on the same page with receivers, wrong depth, protection," he added. "We all have a part in that and we've all picked our time to mess up a third down."

The opening play of the fourth quarter was a perfect example of Green Bay's offensive struggles. Rodgers found Cobb for a 36-yard completion on third-and-11, but the play was wiped out by a holding penalty on right tackle Jason Spriggs.

Rodgers said his focus was getting his teammates to "play with that pride" and focus on the next four games.

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 02: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers passes during the second half of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field on December 02, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

"Yeah, I mean I'm not even thinking about that right now," Rodgers said when asked if he would have any role after the season with general manager Brian Gutekunst or Murphy about what direction they should go with the coaching staff.

The offensive players, Rodgers said, bear blame for whatever happens in the future.

"Yeah, a lot probably," he said. "We haven't played very well."

© 2018 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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