We’ve all heard the news by now. Mike McCarthy is no longer the head coach of the Green Bay Packers. The news broke shortly after the Packers’ 20-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, in a move that sent shock waves across the NFL.

For the Packers, showing up to work Monday might have been a little different.

As quarterback Aaron Rodgers pointed out, “It’s an odd day for sure. I was the only one in this locker room in ’05 when Mike Sherman was let go at the end of the season. It’s a weird day. It’s a tough day.”

Rodgers had several other comments during his locker room interview regarding McCarthy’s firing and the team moving forward. The overall tone of the interview was very somber. Here’s everything you need to know:

  • Speaking to reporters, Rodgers stated he learned of McCarthy’s firing “the same way most of you found out.” Rodgers said he wasn’t anticipating the news whatsoever and was “shocked” to see it happen.
  • Rodgers said he had not talked to McCarthy since he was fired but that he would reach out to him later today. He called their relationship a “close friendship.”
  • Rodgers said it’s been frustrating seeing stories in the media regarding his relationship with McCarthy. He later said there was and always will be mutual respect and communication between the two.
  • “We accomplished a lot of things together and will have a lot of things to talk about down the line,” an emotional Rodgers stated.
  • When asked, Rodgers said he “doesn’t need to be involved” in helping select a new head coach. Said he’d still love to play until he’s 40 years old, and he’s in constant communication with the front office when it comes to his input.
  • On Joe Philbin, Rodgers said he loves the interim coach’s work ethic and communication style. He looks forward to playing out the season under Philbin.
  • Rodgers said he’d be willing to learn a new offensive scheme but also said many offenses around the NFL are similar with just different languages.
  • Rodgers said the entire team deserves blame for not playing up to their own standard this season. Refuses to point the finger at reasons McCarthy was let go.
  • Rodgers said he enjoys hearing feedback from coaches. “I enjoy being coached, I think any player does. You love the conversations, the feedback. I think any great player holds himself to a really high standard.”
  • On being asked about whether the Packers might take some time adjusting to a new coach, Rodgers said he thinks the team has a lot of pieces in place but need to figure out how to make them fit.
  • Rodgers later stated that overcoming adversity will be the name of the game to end 2018. He then said that how Green Bay finishes the season will say a lot about the guys in the locker room.
  • Rodgers said he’d be fine with the Packers hiring a younger coach. Pointed towards his “good friend” Andrew Whitworth (left tackle for the Los Angeles Rams), whose head coach, Sean McVay, is four years younger than he is.
  • Rodgers closed out the interview by saying he’s sad to see McCarthy go and there will be a grieving process for him and the team. Said change and moving on is never easy.

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