Mike McCarthy scheduling interviews with Browns, Jets
-- Teams with young, second-year quarterbacks seem to want Mike McCarthy in the mix of their football operations.
The former Green Bay Packers' head coach is expected to interview with the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. The Browns and McCarthy have been linked for several weeks and, on the surface, it would seem like it's the best landing spot for McCarthy.
It's also been confirmed by NFL.com's Ian Rapoport that McCarthy would meet with the New York Jets for an interview. The day, however, has yet to be revealed.
McCarthy is described as a "picky" hire; someone who will wait for the absolute perfect situation before deciding on his future. If it isn't available, there's a good chance he'll sit out the 2019 season and wait for what's available to him in the 2020 offseason.
The Arizona Cardinals were one team who reached out to the former Packers' coach, but, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, McCarthy declined. The franchise was prepared to give McCarthy full control over personnel on top of the job.
All three teams spent top-ten picks on franchise quarterbacks in last year's draft. The Browns selected Baker Mayfield No. 1 overall, Sam Darnold at No. 3 to the Jets and Josh Rosen at No. 10 to the Cardinals.
If McCarthy was to accept either one of those three jobs, he'd be stepping into the second-years of their respective starting quarterbacks, just like he did in Green Bay in 2006 with Aaron Rodgers. The only difference being Brett Favre was the team's starting quarterback at the team and Rodgers was still two seasons away from taking over.
McCarthy is a hot commodity in coaching free agency simply because of -- but not limited to -- his strides in developing Rodgers, who spent 2006 in McCarthy's "Quarterback School." In this developmental program, Rodgers' mechanics and fundamentals playing the position were adjusted, emphasizing ball placement and footwork for the sake of efficiency.
Teams will likely want the same quarterback prowess from McCarthy with the same expectations.
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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (32)
TKWorldWide
January 02, 2019 at 08:03 am
They want that A-Rod Magic!
(Not to be confused with Brett Hundley Magic.)
TimBackes
January 02, 2019 at 09:14 am
McCarthy to the Browns just makes a whole lot of sense. A lot of familiarity with guys in the front office, a young quarterback that could use his tutelage, a roster on the brink of success but in need of guidance from someone who's "been there." Plus, McCarthy's personality is just so much better suited for Cleveland than New York.
I hope he goes to Cleveland and has a lot of success there.
dobber
January 02, 2019 at 09:31 am
I hope he goes to Cleveland just to piss off Damarious Randall.
TimBackes
January 02, 2019 at 09:35 am
Ah yes, I can see it now.
Damarious Randall: "I'm glad to be away from Green Bay and from a coach and GM who didn't want me around."
McCarthy: *named Browns head coach*
Randall: *shocked Pikachu face*
dobber
January 02, 2019 at 09:51 am
OK...I laughed at the Pikachu thing! :)
Oppy
January 02, 2019 at 08:42 pm
Randall is way ahead of you guys, he was asked about McCarthy the week the Packers fired him, and Randall told the press how great of a coach MM was.
That Damarius might be a lotta things, but dumb ain't one of em. :)
Bure9620
January 02, 2019 at 01:28 pm
He won't even make it to the sideline to throw his first tantrum
LambeauPlain
January 02, 2019 at 10:14 am
I know MM has the reputation as a QB whisperer and not undeserved in total as he turned around Favre after his worst season as a pro, and helped develop Rodgers into one of the best in NFL history.
But his record developing backups is not very good of late. Hundley and Kizer are not showing much...other Packer backup QBs have not gone on to above average NFL careers elsewhere.
Unlike Holmgren who had backups like Detmer, Brunell, Hasselback, and Aaron Brooks...all who went on to start for other teams.
TimBackes
January 02, 2019 at 10:19 am
Eh, Hundley was a late round pick and he had a single year with Kizer. He also got record-breaking performances out of seventh-rounder Matt Flynn.
It's always going to be a crapshoot with guys taken later in the draft. McCarthy deserves some criticism for Hundley's lack of development, but it's just as reasonable to think that Hundley had a ceiling McCarthy was never going to be able to break through.
Oppy
January 02, 2019 at 08:50 pm
I think it's also worth mentioning that MM's "QB School" was seemingly a major tool in his belt to develop QB's. He always stressed how the demands of training camp meant not enough time to focus on QB development in detail, and QB School was his way to groom the QBs without having to worry about rep counts and team periods, etc.
When the CBA was renegotiated, its new regulations limiting players from organized activities before TC destroyed the window of opportunity where QB school used to reside.
Side note, I think Hundley's problem was home-crowd pressure to perform related. He really was a different QB outside of Lambeau. Not great, but not the fish he was at home.
Skip greenBayless
January 02, 2019 at 09:35 pm
I would be shocked if MM does not go to Cleveland. That's a home run pick to get MM working with Mayfield. If you are Mike McCarthy you have to be asking yourself "how lucky can man get?" You get fired from your job which is a great thing because the team is getting very old at the most important position and you can go to a team who has one of the youngest and best qb's in the game not even in his prime yet in Baker Mayfield. You have Dorsey and Wolf kicking ass making great decisions at the top with a boat load of positive cash flow and young star players galore on both side sides. It would be like MM taking over for Chuck Knoll in 1971 or 1972. Think of what is ahead for those Browns when all those young players grow up together? MM is no dummy. He'll take it and I'll be really happy for him. I hope he wins multiple super bowls. I think he will starting as early as next season possibly. Go Mike!!
Dash
Bearmeat
January 02, 2019 at 09:22 am
Good for him. He is a great guy and was a great coach for us, it was just past time for him to leave. Just like TT. Great GM. It was just past time to move on.
I wish Mike all the success in the world. Hopefully in the AFC. lol
dobber
January 02, 2019 at 09:31 am
Who?
Johnblood27
January 02, 2019 at 09:35 am
In related news, my ex had a date this past weekend and she is receiving phone calls this week concerning her schedule next weekend.
edp1959
January 02, 2019 at 11:46 am
This is funny! My thoughts exactly.
Bure9620
January 02, 2019 at 10:10 pm
Haha
Since'61
January 02, 2019 at 10:20 am
If MM wants the Browns job he should take it. He should stay away from the Jets. The Jets have not been a very well run organization for a long time. Except for Sam Darnold at QB their roster needs plenty of work and they do not usually draft very well. Plus the NY media will eat MM alive. His standard answers of adjusting pad levels and reviewing the game film to get things cleaned up won't fly here after about 2-3 weeks, especially if the Jets are losing.
Going on the interviews is good for MM, taking another HC position this season maybe not. Whatever he decides I wish him well and I hope that the Packers are fortunate enough to find another HC as good as MM. 9 playoff appearances including 8 consecutive plus an SB win and 4 NFCCG appearances is not a bad resume. Thanks, Since '61
Johnblood27
January 02, 2019 at 09:07 pm
can I have your up votes?
I need all the help I can get.
LambeauPlain
January 02, 2019 at 10:22 am
I can see MM landing in Cleveland. He has many friends there in the front office and would be just a few hours drive his hometown of Pittsburg.
My gut also tells me the next Packer coach will be selected from the Patriots staff...either McDaniels or Brian Flores. 50-50 it is one of those guys.
Both have been long time padawans of BB. And both are disciplinarians in that they hold players accountable, expect results, are tough but fair.
My worry is the track record of BB's assistants as Head Coaches has not been very good.
dobber
January 02, 2019 at 04:33 pm
My gut tells me the next donut will be selected from the cinnamon roll rack.
Bure9620
January 02, 2019 at 10:13 pm
Guts are typically correct
EdsLaces
January 02, 2019 at 10:23 am
Hope he goes to a team that needs to work on ......fundamentals.
Packers0808
January 02, 2019 at 11:32 am
Can't say for sure of course but gut feeling McCarthy will be a very successful head coach again going forward. Either way best of luck! Enjoyed your teams and years at GB! Packer fan since 1958.
NJMagic
January 02, 2019 at 11:37 am
Since 58?
Does Since 61 have competition?
Dobbers, help!
dobber
January 02, 2019 at 11:41 am
Sorry...I'm busy eating '61s cookies! Nom, nom, nom! ;)
Since'61
January 02, 2019 at 09:41 pm
More cookies for Dobber! Thanks, Since '61
Packers0808
January 02, 2019 at 12:58 pm
Yup became Packer fan at age 13.
Bure9620
January 02, 2019 at 10:13 pm
Me too, I was 13 in 1995........
egbertsouse
January 02, 2019 at 01:28 pm
Wow, you’re really old. I’ve been a fan since the Packers/Eagles championship game in ‘60 (I bawled when they lost.) but you’re old enough to remember Scooter MacLean and Tobin Rote.
Packers0808
January 02, 2019 at 01:43 pm
Yes born in 1945 and I even remember meeting Gene Ronzani when I was a kid. He was from Iron Mountain Mi and I was from a close by town and later years dated his niece for about 3 years. They have both passed away since then. Yup I have seen the bad the good and glory days of the Packers, hope they continue!
Tundraboy
January 03, 2019 at 07:45 am
I was really young but I became a fan after they demolished the Giants in '62.
cheesehead1
January 02, 2019 at 12:05 pm
Would like to see the Packers hire Fangio for one. Please, no McDaniels.