5 potential replacements for Mike McCarthy as Packers head coach

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 07: Green Bay Packers head football coach Mike McCarthy watches the actions during the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Packers 31-23. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) ** Mike McCarthy ** /

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1. Josh McDaniels

McDaniels drew plenty of ire after agreeing to be the Indianapolis Colts’ head coach and backing out at the last minute nearly a year ago, but that will not keep him from getting interviews again in this year’s coaching cycle. Interested teams may have to wait to make a formal hire until after another deep playoff run by the Patriots, but if they earn a first round bye McDaniels could hit the interview circuit then.

It’s getting hard to remember McDaniels’ first stint as an NFL head coach, as he went a dismal 11-17 over less than two seasons (2009-2010) with the Denver Broncos. After one year as offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams in 2011, he has been back under Bill Belichick as offensive coordinator ever since.

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McDaniels obviously has a lot of experience with an all-time great quarterback, working with Tom Brady as either quarterbacks coach or offensive coordinator from 2004-2008 and from 2012 to now. Yet somehow, McDaniels still only 42 years old and has proven to be the kind of creative offensive mind McCarthy hasn’t been in years.

McDaniels will have the opportunity to be a head coach again after the season as openings come. But it really comes down to his readiness to leave New England and what he’s looking for, and the Packers can sell the opportunity to work with another future Hall of Fame quarterback above anything else.

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