Aaron Rodgers Respect for Mike McCarthy Has Grown Over Time
This week, the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys will face off in a game that has several storylines leading up to it. One of the biggest storylines is about a reunion. The Packers will welcome back former head coach Mike McCarthy, who spent 13 seasons in Green Bay. This week, Aaron Rodgers has shown nothing but respect for his former head coach.
“I think as time goes by, the gratitude for that time as you look back on the journey of your career goes up a little bit…I’m thankful for those years and thankful maybe a little bit more now as the years go by,” Rodgers stated to the media over the week.
Mike McCarthy wasn’t on the Green Bay staff when Aaron Rodgers was drafted back in 2005. However, after Rodgers rookie year, McCarthy joined Green Bay in 2006. It was McCarthy’s first his first head coaching job in his career. Both McCarthy and Rodgers had success during McCarthy’s stint with the Packers, which included a Super Bowl victory in 2011. Rodgers won two MVPs and the Super Bowl MVP during McCarthy’s time in Green Bay. McCarthy finished with a record of 125-77-2 in the regular season and 10-8 in the playoffs with nine playoff appearances. During the 2018 season, Green Bay fired McCarthy which ended his stint with the team.
“I’m thankful for the incredible moments, the highs we had, and there were many of them, and even for the low moments too because it gives you perspective on life. Life is not all about the beautiful ups. It’s the downs that you learn the most lessons in.”
When asked about the return to Green Bay this weekend, McCarthy got emotional with his response. “Mike’s Pittsburgh toughness and grit on the outside and a big soft teddy bear on the inside…Him and I definitely shed some tears over the years together in conversations, usually happy tears I would say. But yeah, Mike’s a big-hearted guy, and I like to see him let the emotions come out.” Rodgers responded when asked about McCarthy’s interview.
As the two teams face off this weekend, it is an important game outside of the reunion of McCarthy and the Packers for both teams. In the NFC East, Dallas and the New York Giants are both in second place with a 6-2 record, already two games back from the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. With the Cowboys well-positioned to make the playoffs, Green Bay on the other hand is having serious struggles this season. After falling to the Detroit Lions last week, the Packers are 3-6 heading into this week. Green Bay is tied with the Chicago Bears in the NFC North. The Minnesota Vikings stand at 7-1 atop of the division.
