Mike McCarthy will take over play-calling duties for the Green Bay Packers for the remainder of the season, according to FOX Sports' Jay Glazer, who made the report during FOX NFL Sunday just a few hours before the team is set to kick off against the Dallas Cowboys.
Mike McCarthy reclaims play-calling duties for Packers
McCarthy said less than a week ago that he needs to “shut up more” when it comes to influencing the offense, but changed his mind and will now call the plays.
McCarthy, 52, relinquished his role as the play-caller for the Packers in the offseason, handing the reins to offensive assistant Tom Clements. However, the Packers have struggled to consistently find offense during the 2015 season. After a 6-0 start, the Packers are 2-4 since a Week 7 bye, and managed just 16 points or fewer in three of the team’s four losses.
Less than a week ago, after a 27-23 victory over the Detroit Lions that was won with a Hail Mary, McCarthy said that he was trying too hard to influence the play-calling of Clements. Via Rob Demovsky of ESPN:
“I need to shut up more, frankly,” McCarthy said when asked about his influence on Clements’ offensive play selection. “I think the most important thing is -- and I don’t know how other people do it -- the communication network when you’re calling plays.
“If you’re calling plays, you need the information before the series and timely information within the series. So that’s something that we’re all conscientious of, and it’s just to make sure we’re trying to give Tom the support that he needs there.”
The Packers lost 2014 leading receiver Jordy Nelson for the year in preseason and are No. 22 in total offense entering Week 14. Aaron Rodgers has still managed to rack up 26 touchdowns with five interceptions, but his 97.3 passer rating is the first time his rating has been under 100 since finishing with a 93.8 passer rating in his first full season as the team's starter.
McCarthy spent five seasons as the offensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints and one year with the same position with the San Francisco 49ers before getting the head coaching job with the Packers in 2006.
* * *
SB Nation presents: How the Lions helped the Packers convert a Hail Mary for a win
See More:
