Editing Mike McCarthy (section)

===Green Bay Packers===
==== 2006–2009 ====
[[File:Mike McCarthy (TJG).JPG|alt=Mike McCarthy|thumb|McCarthy in 2007]]
After Mike Sherman took the Packers to a 4–12 record in 2005,<ref>{{Cite web |title=2005 Green Bay Packers Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/2005.htm |access-date=June 6, 2006 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> the team released him on January 2, 2006, and immediately started interviewing for a replacement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2006 |title=Packers' Sherman loses job after first losing season |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2277901 |access-date=June 28, 2021 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> McCarthy was interviewed by Packers general manager [[Ted Thompson]] on January 8, 2006, and was offered the head coaching position three days later.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Pasquarelli |first=Len |date=January 11, 2006 |title=Packers to hire 49ers' McCarthy as coach |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2288985 |access-date=January 12, 2006 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

In 2006, the Packers started with a 4–8 record, but the team still managed to win their last four games after both quarterback Brett Favre and backup quarterback [[Aaron Rodgers]] sustained injuries, finishing the season 8–8, and ending with a win against their archrival, the [[2006 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 2006 Green Bay Packers (8–8) |url=http://www.packershistory.net/2006PACKERS.html |access-date=June 25, 2021 |website=www.packershistory.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2006 Green Bay Packers Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/2006.htm |access-date=June 8, 2007 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>

McCarthy guided the Packers to an 8–1 record in the first nine games of the [[2007 Green Bay Packers season|2007 season]], tying Washington's [[Joe Gibbs]] for the best win–loss ratio to start the first 25 games of a career at 16–9 and passing [[Vince Lombardi]], who went 15–10, for the best coaching start in Packers' history.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fly |first=Colin |date=November 12, 2007 |title=McCarthy stays true to Packers' plan, sits atop NFC with best start among active coaches |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/2007-11-12-3091823810_x.htm |access-date=November 12, 2007}}</ref> The team finished the regular season with a 13–3 record and obtained the number two seed in the NFC playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kruse |first=Zach |date=June 8, 2017 |title=Throwback Thursday: Remembering the 2007 Green Bay Packers |url=https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2017/06/08/throwback-thursday-remembering-the-2007-green-bay-packers/ |access-date=June 25, 2021 |website=Packers Wire |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2007 Green Bay Packers Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/2007.htm |access-date=June 30, 2008 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> McCarthy led the Packers to the [[NFC Championship]] game, where they lost to the eventual Super Bowl-winning [[2007 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] in overtime.

After the 2007 season, McCarthy finished second in voting for [[National Football League Coach of the Year Award|The Associated Press Coach of the Year]] award, garnering 15 votes to [[Bill Belichick]]'s 29 votes.<ref>{{Cite web |agency=Associated Press |title=Unbeaten regular season lifts Belichick to second AP Coach of Year honor |website=[[NFL.com]] |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d805b47b4&template=without-video&confirm=true |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080104153614/http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d805b47b4&template=without-video&confirm=true <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=January 4, 2008 |access-date=January 2, 2008}}</ref>

On January 19, 2008, McCarthy signed a five-year contract extension with the team, which raised his salary to $3.4 million a year.<ref>[http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080119/PKR01/801190476/1057/PKR&located=RSS Green Bay Press-Gazette – Packers, McCarthy reach five-year deal]</ref> The [[2008 Green Bay Packers season|2008 season]] was a tumultuous one. Aaron Rodgers, previously the backup, became the starting quarterback when Brett Favre announced his retirement in March. Favre then changed his mind and sought his previous position as the Green Bay quarterback. The organization reiterated its intent to move forward with Rodgers as the new face of the Packers, although Favre was offered the backup position behind Rodgers. Favre refused the offer, and was traded to the [[New York Jets]] in exchange for a conditional fourth-round draft pick.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ESPN.com |date=August 6, 2008 |title=Jets set for Brett: Packers legend headed to New York |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/trainingcamp08/news/story?id=3522971 |access-date=August 7, 2008}}</ref>

The [[2008 Green Bay Packers season|2008 season]] started with a 5–5 record, followed by five consecutive losses. The season ended with a 31–21 victory over the [[2008 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]], bringing the Packers' regular season record to 6–10. The Packers finished third in the NFC North, ahead of only the Lions, and did not make the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2008 Green Bay Packers Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/2008.htm |access-date=December 3, 2018 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> Under McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers threw for over 4,000 yards and posted a 93.8 [[passer rating]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=ESPN.com |title=Aaron Rodgers stats |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/8439/aaron-rodgers |access-date=August 7, 2009}}</ref>

Rodgers improved on his 2008 statistics in [[2009 Green Bay Packers season|2009]], but was sacked 50 times, more than any other quarterback in the NFL. The Packers dominated teams with losing records but were swept by their rival [[2009 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]], led by former Packers franchise quarterback [[Brett Favre]]. The Packers lost to the previously winless [[2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]], but then came back to beat the NFC East-leading [[2009 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pro Football Reference |title=2009 Green Bay Packers |website=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com]] |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/2009.htm |access-date=November 19, 2009}}</ref> They then went on a five-game winning streak and qualified for the playoffs with a Week 17 victory over the [[2009 Arizona Cardinals season|Arizona Cardinals]], finishing with an 11–5 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2009 Green Bay Packers Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/2009.htm |access-date=June 30, 2010 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>

This was the second playoff berth in McCarthy's tenure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dougherty |first=Pete |title=Green Bay Packers rout Seattle Seahawks 48–10, clinch playoff berth |url=http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20091227/PKR01/91227024/1954/PKR03 |access-date=December 27, 2009}}</ref> The Packers lost the wild-card round to the Cardinals in overtime, 51–45.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dougherty |first=Pete |title=Green Bay Packers lose to Arizona Cardinals 51–45 in NFC playoff game |url=http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20100110/PKR01/100110040/1954/PKR03 |access-date=January 10, 2010}}</ref>

==== 2010 ====
In 2010, the Packers had 25 players on the injured reserve list throughout the season. Running back [[Ryan Grant (running back)|Ryan Grant]] sustained an injury in week one that sidelined him for the rest of the season. McCarthy nonetheless led the Packers to a 10–6 regular season finish, never losing by more than four points and never trailing by more than 7 throughout the entire season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Michael David |date=January 25, 2011 |title=Packers lost close games like no other team, ever |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/01/25/packers-lost-close-games-like-no-other-team-ever/ |access-date=June 25, 2021 |work=ProFootballTalk}}</ref> This record earned them second place in the NFC North, behind the [[2010 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaake |first=Andrew |title=The Green Bay Packers' 10 Best Seasons |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1118080-the-green-bay-packers-ten-best-seasons |access-date=June 25, 2021 |work=Bleacher Report}}</ref> with whom they split victories in the regular season.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |title=2010 Green Bay Packers football Game-by-Game Results on StatsCrew.com |url=https://www.statscrew.com/football/results/t-GB/y-2010 |access-date=June 30, 2021 |website=www.statscrew.com}}</ref>

They went into the NFC playoffs as the sixth seed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Both Sixth Seeds Win NFL Wild-Card Games |url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/both-sixth-seeds-win-wild-card-games/71696/ |access-date=June 25, 2021 |work=NBC Bay Area |date=January 6, 2014}}</ref> The Packers defeated the number three-seeded [[2010 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]] by a 21–16 score in the wild-card round. They then played the number one-seeded [[2010 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]], beating them by a convincing margin of 48–21.

The Packers then played the second-seeded Chicago Bears for the third time that season in the [[NFC Championship game|NFC Championship Game]]. They won 21–14 and advanced to [[Super Bowl XLV]]. After this game, McCarthy's team had a 3–0 postseason record on the road.<ref name=":13" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=2010 NFL Playoff Standings |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2010/playoffs.htm |access-date=June 30, 2021 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>

===== Super Bowl XLV =====
[[Super Bowl XLV]] pitted the Packers against the [[2010 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]. This was the first time these two storied franchises had played each other in the postseason.<ref name=":14" /> Ahead of the game, confident in his team's performance, McCarthy had the team fitted for Super Bowl championship rings.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 7, 2011 |title=McCarthy had Pack fitted for rings Saturday |url=https://www.espn.in/nfl/playoffs/2010/news/story?id=6098193 |access-date=June 25, 2021 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

The Packers defeated the Steelers 31–25 to win their fourth [[Super Bowl]] and 13th [[List of NFL Championships won|NFL title]] overall.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 6, 2011 |title=Aaron Rodgers tosses 3 TD passes as Packers drop Steelers to win Super Bowl XLV |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=310206009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915005151/http://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=310206009 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 15, 2016 |access-date=February 7, 2011 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref name=":14">{{Cite web |title=Packers.com, the official website of the Green Bay Packers |url=https://www.packers.com/history/championship-seasons |access-date=June 30, 2021 |website=www.packers.com}}</ref> The win returned the Lombardi Trophy to Green Bay for the first time since the team's 1996 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Green Bay holds on to win fourth Super Bowl title |url=http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/115382579.html |access-date=June 25, 2021 |website=www.jsonline.com}}</ref>

==== 2011–2017 ====
[[File:Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy - San Francisco vs Green Bay 2012.jpg|thumb|left|McCarthy and quarterback [[Aaron Rodgers]] in {{NFL year|2012}}]]
The 2011 Packers team was a record-setting one, leading the NFL in points scored and setting a franchise record for wins at 15–1 and consecutive wins.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2011 Green Bay Packers Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/2011.htm |access-date=June 30, 2012 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> McCarthy's offensive strategies facilitated Aaron Rodgers' NFL MVP season, as he threw for 4,643 yards and 45 touchdowns, throwing most often to receiver [[Jordy Nelson]].<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Chodos |first=Ben |title=Green Bay Packers: 5 Best and 5 Worst of the 2011 Season |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1029783-green-bay-packers-5-best-and-5-worst-of-the-2011-season |access-date=June 25, 2021 |work=Bleacher Report}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=NFL 100 |url=https://www.nfl.com/100/originals/100-greatest/teams-67 |access-date=June 25, 2021 |website=NFL.com}}</ref>

The Packers' season ended in the NFC Divisional Round against the [[2011 New York Giants season|New York Giants]]. The team had suffered a number of setbacks, including the season-ending neck injury of defensive back [[Nick Collins]], and appeared to have suffered, rather than benefited, from the time off, dropping nine passes in this game.<ref name=":11" /> [[Eli Manning]] of the Giants attacked the Packers’ weaker defense (ranked 19th in scoring defense) and the Packers lost 37–20.<ref name=":7" />

In 2012, the Packers finished with an 11–5 record that ranked them first in the NFC North Division,<ref>{{Cite web |title=2013 Green Bay Packers Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/2013.htm |access-date=June 30, 2014 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> the first time the Packers had won two consecutive NFC North titles since the three they won from 2002 to 2004. McCarthy's offensive strategies led to the Packers scoring 433 points, with Aaron Rodgers passing for 4,295 yards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2012 Green Bay Packers football Roster on StatsCrew.com |url=https://www.statscrew.com/football/roster/t-GB/y-2012 |access-date=June 25, 2021 |website=www.statscrew.com}}</ref> The 2012 postseason was the 28th time the franchise had secured a playoff berth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Packers 2012 Season-Ending Dope Sheet |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-2012-season-ending-dope-sheet-9381394 |access-date=June 25, 2021 |website=www.packers.com}}</ref> After beating the [[2012 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]] in the first round they lost to the [[2012 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]] in the Divisional Round by a score of 45–31.

In 2013, McCarthy led the Packers to a regular season record of 8–7–1 and the NFC North title, the third consecutive division win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2013 Green Bay Packers Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/2013.htm |access-date=June 25, 2021 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> That year, McCarthy took his team to their fifth straight playoff appearance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A look back at the Packers' 2013 season |url=https://www.packers.com/news/a-look-back-at-the-packers-2013-season-12548166 |access-date=June 25, 2021 |website=www.packers.com}}</ref> During the summer of 2014, the village board of Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin voted to rename Potts Avenue “Mike McCarthy Way.”<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 23, 2014 |title=Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy has street named after him |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/07/mike-mccarthy-way-green-bay-packers |access-date=June 25, 2021 |work=For The Win}}</ref>

In 2014, McCarthy guided the Packers to their fourth consecutive NFC North title with a 12–4 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2014 Green Bay Packers Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/2014.htm |access-date=June 30, 2015 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> The team ranked sixth in the NFL in total offense, with an average of 386 yards per game, and first in points scored, with an average of 30.4 points per game. In receiving yards, Jordy Nelson led the team with 1,519 yards. Aaron Rodgers threw for 4,381 yards and [[Eddie Lacy]] had 1,139 rushing yards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2014 Green Bay Packers Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/2014.htm |access-date=June 25, 2021 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Infographic: Packers 2014 season review |url=https://www.packers.com/news/infographic-packers-2014-season-review-14916094 |access-date=June 25, 2021 |website=www.packers.com}}</ref>

In November 2014, McCarthy signed a contract extension through 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Demovsky |first=Rob |date=November 3, 2014 |title=Packers extend coach Mike McCarthy |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/11816388/mike-mccarthy-signs-multiyear-contract-extension-green-bay-packers |access-date=January 12, 2014 |website=ESPN.com |publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> With a Week 16 victory over the [[2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]], McCarthy notched his 99th win, passing Hall of Famer [[Vince Lombardi]] (98) for second on the Packers' all-time wins list, behind only Hall of Famer [[Curly Lambeau]] (212).<ref>{{Cite web |last=jrn.com |title=McCarthy on passing Lombardi on Packers win list |url=http://www.jrn.com/wtmj/wi-sports/McCarthy-on-passing-Lombardi-on-Packers-win-list-286721671.html |access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=tbo.com |title=Hot Reads: GB coach could pass Lombardi's mark |date=December 17, 2014 |url=http://tbo.com/sports/bucs/hot-reads-gb-coach-could-pass-lombardis-mark-20141217/ |access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref>

The Packers defeated the [[2014 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, but in the NFC Championship Game against the [[2014 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]], the Packers collapsed. Despite holding a 16–0 lead at halftime and a 19–7 lead in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, going on to lose the game 22–28 in overtime. McCarthy was criticized after making several questionable play calls during this loss.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harding |first=Robert |date=January 19, 2015 |title=Green Bay Packers' loss to Seattle Seahawks in NFC title game comes down to two poor coaching decisions |url=https://auburnpub.com/blogs/in_the_pros/green-bay-packers-loss-to-seattle-seahawks-in-nfc-title/article_6dce68cc-9fe5-11e4-88c5-93e04ff1b5c5.html |access-date=January 8, 2020}}</ref> At the start of the game, he went for two field goals at the 1 yard line, and was criticized for "not going for it".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/mike-mccarthy-should-get-plenty-of-blame-for-packers-loss-b99429413z1-289103671.html/|title = Mike McCarthy should get blame for Packers loss, too}}</ref> During the last five minutes of the game, McCarthy called three run plays to [[Eddie Lacy]] with 3:52 minutes left, and the Packers punted on fourth down; critics slammed McCarthy for "not giving [[Aaron Rodgers]] a chance" to win the game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Manfred |first=Tony |date=January 19, 2015 |title=How The Packers Completed One Of The Worst Collapses In NFL History In Just 5 Minutes |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/how-the-packers-blew-the-seahawks-game-2015-1 |access-date=January 8, 2020 |publisher=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref> A day after the loss, McCarthy stated that he is "not questioning his play-calling", as well as stating that he "came to run the ball".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dubin |first=Jaren |date=January 19, 2015 |title=Mike McCarthy: 'I'm not questioning' play-calling |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mike-mccarthy-im-not-questioning-play-calling/ |access-date=January 8, 2020 |work=[[CBS Sports]]}}</ref> Others defended McCarthy; in March 2015, at the annual owners' meetings, Bill Belichick stated that McCarthy is "one of the best coaches I've ever gone up against."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reiss |first=Mike |date=March 24, 2015 |title=10 things we learned from Bill Belichick at owners meetings |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4779715/10-things-we-learned-from-bill-belichick |access-date=November 27, 2018 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilde |first=Jason |title=Belichick: McCarthy 'one of the best coaches I've ever gone up against' |url=http://www.espnwisconsin.com/page.php?page_id=278 |access-date=March 25, 2015 |website=ESPN Wisconsin}}</ref> Notwithstanding his rejection of the criticism of his heavily run-dependent strategy McCarthy relinquished play calling duties to long-time assistant [[Tom Clements]] in February 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 19, 2017 |title=Tom Clements Departure is Green Bay's Loss |url=https://totalpackers.com/2017/02/tom-clements-departure-green-bays-loss/ |access-date=June 28, 2021 |work=Total Packers}}</ref>

While the Packers made the playoffs for the seventh consecutive time after the 2015 season, the team struggled with a weak running game. In December, McCarthy once again took over play calling responsibilities. After he did so, the Packers recorded a 28–7 victory over the [[2015 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]], running the ball for 230 yards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 13, 2015 |title=Mike McCarthy calls plays for offense in win over Cowboys |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14356004/mike-mccarthy-green-bay-packers-coach-reclaims-play-calling-responsibilities |access-date=June 25, 2021 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers – December 13th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201512130gnb.htm |access-date=December 15, 2017 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>

The 2016 season made McCarthy the fourth head coach in the history of the NFL to take his team to eight-plus consecutive playoff appearances.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Packers' season-ending Dope Sheet |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-season-ending-dope-sheet-18544761 |access-date=June 25, 2021 |website=www.packers.com}}</ref> In the postseason, the Packers won the wild card game against the [[2016 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] (38–13) and then the NFC Divisional Playoff against the [[2016 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] (34–31) before losing on the road to the [[2016 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]] in the NFC Championship Game (44–21).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Packers.com, the official website of the Green Bay Packers |url=https://www.packers.com/history/playoff-history |access-date=June 25, 2021 |website=www.packers.com}}</ref>

The Packers began the 2017 season with a 4–1 record, but was later hamstrung by a collarbone injury to Rodgers in Week 6 against the [[2017 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]. Afterwards, backup quarterback [[Brett Hundley]] made his first career start.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 15, 2017 |title=Aaron Rodgers has broken collarbone, could miss season |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/21031654/aaron-rodgers-green-bay-packers-breaks-right-collarbone |access-date=June 30, 2021 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> With only a backup quarterback to work with, McCarthy and the Packers failed to clinch a postseason appearance in 2017, finishing with a 7–9 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2017 Green Bay Packers Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/2017.htm |access-date=June 30, 2021 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>

==== 2018 ====
On January 2, 2018, it was announced that McCarthy had signed a one-year contract extension with the Packers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chavez |first=Chris |date=January 2, 2018 |title=Packers Signed Mike McCarthy To One-Year Extension To Remain Through The 2019 Season |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/01/02/mike-mccarthy-contract-extension-green-bay-packers-2019 |access-date=November 27, 2018 |website=si.com}}</ref>

On December 2, 2018, after a 20–17 loss to the [[2018 Arizona Cardinals season|Arizona Cardinals]], McCarthy was released after 13 seasons as head coach.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shook |first=Nick |title=Packers release head coach Mike McCarthy after 13 seasons |date=December 2, 2018 |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000995203/article/packers-part-ways-with-mike-mccarthy-after-13-seasons |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203060000/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000995203/article/packers-part-ways-with-mike-mccarthy-after-13-seasons |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 3, 2018 |access-date=December 2, 2018 |work=NFL.com}}</ref> He finished his Packers tenure with a {{winpct|125|77|2|record=y}} regular-season record and a {{winpct|10|8|record=y}} postseason record for a combined record of {{winpct|135|85|2|record=y}}. McCarthy led the team to nine playoff appearances and a Super Bowl victory.<ref name=":15" />

The timing of the personnel decision caught McCarthy by surprise, as he noted in an interview with ESPN.com. McCarthy said: "Time provides the opportunity for reflection and clarity and that's where I'm at now. And it's clear to me now that both sides needed a change."<ref name=":8" />

==== 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>