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INDIANAPOLIS – With the exception of the last four games of the 2018 season, Aaron Rodgers' full term as quarterback for the Green Bay Packers has been handed over to head coach Mike McCarthy.
After four games with interim coach Joe Philbin, Rodgers will start next season with Matt LaFleur as the new coach.
The way Rodgers reacts to the head coach for the first time could dictate his level of success.
"He has to accept it," Packers president Mark Murphy told ESPN on Tuesday at the NFL show. "And I think it's … I hope it fits well." "I'm excited, I know he's excited." had discussions with him. "
Rodgers has not spoken publicly since Murphy hired LaFleur, the former offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans, on January 7th. Rodgers also did not meet his new coach personally. According to Murphy, they had several conversations since their first phone call the day they were offered the job.
Rodgers' relationship with McCarthy became a subject of speculation last season when McCarthy was fired four days into the 13th season as head coach. Their partnership seemed to go for good when Rodgers criticized the Packers' offense after their 22-0 win over the Bills in late September.
The day after McCarthy's dismissal in December, Rodgers was asked whether he thought he had anything to do with McCarthy's dismissal and said: "I hope that's not the reason ".
LaFleur separated from most of McCarthy's offensive staff, but returned a former McCarthy assistant, Luke Getsy, to the quarterback positions. Getsy spent last season as offensive coordinator for the state of Mississippi after spending the last four years with the Packers. While LaFleur will call the offensive pieces, he said Getsy and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett would all have a role to play in Rodgers' training.
"We have three guys from the quarter who are going to hit him from all angles," LaFleur said last week. "I'm going to do a part, I know I have to be in this room, especially as much as possible because I'm going to play the role of play-caller.I think the relationship between the caller and the quarterback is absolutely essential. So I'll be there as much as I can, I never plan to miss a meeting with the quarterback. "
Murphy acknowledged that Rodgers should adhere to LaFleur's coaching and the changes that he was planning to implement in attack, especially because at the age of 35, Rodgers' window to win another Super Bowl might start to close.
"He's driven," said Murphy. "He wants to win championships, and I think he knows that he only has a few years left, I'm excited, I think he and Matt, I think this relationship is going to be crucial." the head coach, but he is the playcaller "
When asked exactly what excited Rodgers, Murphy said, "I think change and I think he's familiar with Matt's past and his work with the quarterbacks." Change is difficult, but it's not easy. He's good and I think he's excited about the change. "
Nevertheless, the recent history of the Packers suggests that the change may not yield immediate dividends. McCarthy did not play in the playoffs in his first season in 2006, but he took the Packers to the NFC title in the second year and won the Super Bowl in fifth year (Rodgers' third year as than starter). Mike Sherman missed the playoffs in his first season (2000) and Ray Rhodes missed his only season (1992). Even Mike Holmgren failed to qualify for the playoffs in his first year (1992).
However, Murphy highlighted the success of Matt Nagy, the Bears' freshman last season, leading Chicago to the NFC's North Championship title.
"There is no doubt that with all the changes we have, there will be an adjustment, but I am optimistic," said Murphy. "I think we'll see an improvement."
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