Editing Mike McCarthy (section)

==== 2019 hiatus ====
After McCarthy was released as Packers head coach, he expressed plans to interview with the [[New York Jets]] and [[Cleveland Browns]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knoblauch |first=Austin |date=January 1, 2019 |title=Mike McCarthy plans to interview with Jets, Browns |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/mike-mccarthy-plans-to-interview-with-jets-browns-0ap3000001006803 |access-date=January 8, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> The [[Arizona Cardinals]] expressed interest, but he declined to proceed with an interview.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 24, 2018 |title=NBC's King: Interest between former Packers coach McCarthy, Cardinals |url=http://arizonasports.com/story/1781905/nbcs-king-interest-between-former-packers-coach-mccarthy-cardinals/ |access-date=January 8, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Root |first=Jess |date=January 1, 2019 |title=Mike McCarthy turned down chance to interview for Cardinals coaching vacancy |url=https://cardswire.usatoday.com/2019/01/01/mike-mccarthy-declined-az-arizona-cardinals-advances/ |access-date=January 8, 2020}}</ref>

McCarthy's interview with the Browns was initially scheduled for Thursday, January 3,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dunn |first=Sam |date=January 2, 2019 |title=REPORT: Mike McCarthy Expected to Interview for Browns Head Coaching Job Thursday |url=https://www.12up.com/posts/6261089-report-mike-mccarthy-expected-to-interview-for-browns-head-coaching-job-thursday |access-date=January 8, 2020}}</ref> before being moved to a week later.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Florjancic |first=Matthew |date=January 3, 2019 |title=Report: Mike McCarthy's interview with Browns moved to next week |url=https://www.wkyc.com/mobile/article/sports/nfl/browns/report-mike-mccarthys-interview-with-browns-moved-to-next-week/95-6ff7471f-8019-4cf4-a9a4-d6b43e91df95 |access-date=January 8, 2020 |publisher=[[WKYC]]}}</ref> The Browns offered McCarthy the head coach position, but he declined it, because it would have required him to retain [[Freddie Kitchens]] as offensive coordinator. The Browns hired Kitchens instead.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holleran |first=Andrew |date=January 9, 2019 |title=Report: This Coach Turned Down The Cleveland Browns' Job |url=https://thespun.com/football/report-this-coach-turned-down-the-cleveland-browns-job |access-date=January 8, 2020}}</ref>

McCarthy interviewed with the Jets on January 5, 2019.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Waszak |first=Dennis |date=January 6, 2019 |title=Jets Interview Former Packers Coach Mike McCarthy |url=https://apnews.com/78310207e377470c96c96994f87402b2 |access-date=January 8, 2020 |publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> The Jets also interviewed Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator [[Eric Bieniemy]] and former Miami Dolphins coach [[Adam Gase]].<ref name=":9" /> The Jets proceeded to hire Gase.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Waszak |first=Dennis |date=January 10, 2019 |title=AP source: Jets hire former Dolphins coach Adam Gase |url=https://apnews.com/3f09eaff20b44098b0e2966483f822ff |access-date=January 8, 2020 |publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

On January 9, 2019, McCarthy announced that he intended to sit out the 2019 season and return for 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tyree |first=Ameer |date=January 10, 2019 |title=Former Packers coach Mike McCarthy will sit out 2019, report says |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/mike-mccarthy-will-not-pursue-coaching-jobs-in-2019/kfh81b00r5qq1w7tnf0hqlfvh |access-date=January 8, 2020}}</ref> McCarthy spent time improving his football knowledge and strategies. In collaboration with fellow coaches such as [[Jim Haslett]], [[Frank Cignetti Jr.]] and [[Scott McCurley]], McCarthy studied league playbooks, league trends, and analytics, with the intention of returning to the NFL. He said that his "McCarthy Project" made him "definitely a better coach".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ex-Packers coach Mike McCarthy eyes NFL return in 2020 |first=Tom |last=Pelissero |date=December 9, 2019 |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/ex-packers-coach-mike-mccarthy-eyes-nfl-return-in-2020-0ap3000001084451 |access-date=June 25, 2021 |website=NFL.com}}</ref>