Mike McCarthy is channeling his inner Rick Astley, declaring he’s “never” going to give up his play-calling duties again.
The Green Bay Packers head coach deferred play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Tom Clements in 2015. The change didn’t work out. Per NFL.com, the Packers, depleted by injuries, posted the lowest points per game, yards per game, and third-down percentage of the Aaron Rodgers era.
McCarthy admitted to USA Today the change wasn’t popular but was made so he could focus attention on other aspects of the team.
“That’s responsibility and leadership is what that was,” McCarthy said. “It wasn’t popular. It’s something that you didn’t want to do. But I had to do what I thought was best for the football team. That’s what I think about at night. That’s what I think about when I get up in the morning. That’s my every-day, all-day professional thought.”
McCarthy didn’t throw Clements to the wolves, admitting he did “a great job” calling plays. But he stressed that familiarity with Aaron Rodgers and Co. was important in play-calling.
McCarthy back in charge of the offense, plus the return of multiple injured players, should help rejuvenate Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay’s offense. McCarthy has done an excellent job in the past at play-calling for the Packers and even with the added responsibilities being a head coach, he’s the best man for the job.
