5 possible replacements for Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy

There may be changes at the end of the 2016 season for the Green Bay Packers, and here are five potential replacements for head coach Mike McCarthy.

The 2016 season reached a new low point for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, as they lost 47-25 to the Tennessee Titans. They’ve now lost three games in a row, and four of their last five games, to fall to 4-5 on the season. With two more road games coming — and on a national stage, no less — the Packers need to get things turned around quickly.

Mike McCarthy’s run as Packers’ head coach, now in its 11th season, seems destined to come to an end after the season. His relationship with quarterback Aaron Rodgers seems to be worse than might meet even meet the eye, and it’s possible the rest of the team has tuned out the head coach.

A turnaround to a division title and a playoff win or two could change things, but McCarthy is firmly on the hot seat until further notice. He’s on track to be fired after the season. With that, here are five potential options to become the next Packers’ head coach in 2017.

Nov 12, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh walks the sidelines during their game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

5. Jim Harbaugh

A recent report from Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman suggested NFL teams with a head coach opening will go after Jim Harbaugh aggressively after the season. And that was before Michigan’s disappointing loss to Iowa last Saturday night.

On its own, money probably wouldn’t draw Harbaugh back to the NFL so quickly. But a bad ending with the San Francisco 49ers may be something he wants to correct (though it was hardly all his fault), even if it means leaving his alma mater early in what could be a very successful run.

Harbaugh’s style seems perfectly suited to being a college head coach, since players cycle through before his act wears on them. But that won’t stop NFL teams from calling each offseason, and the Packers could be among those teams after this season.

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4. Kyle Shanahan

The Atlanta Falcons have had one of the NFL’s best offenses this season, ranking toward the top in total offense, scoring offense and passing offense. Kyle Shanahan has made some nice progress in his second year as offensive coordinator, and quarterback Matt Ryan seems to have far greater comfort in the system this season.

Shanahan previously served as offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans (2008-2009), Washington Redskins (2010-2013) and Cleveland Browns (2014), and he had success with Matt Schaub and Robert Griffin III under center in Houston and Washington, respectively. That Redskins offense surely had Kyle’s father Mike’s fingerprints on it, but Shanahan’s work with Ryan this year should have Green Bay’s attention, since they have their own top-tier quarterback in place that may need a spark from a new voice.

Barring a complete collapse by the Falcons from here on out, Shanahan will have his pick of open head coaching jobs after the season. But there’s a lot to like about a possible opportunity in Green Bay, with Rodgers and some offensive skill position talent to work with.

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3. Kevin Sumlin

Three losses in their last four games is not ideal, but Kevin Sumlin has pretty much taken himself off the hot seat at Texas A&M with a 7-3 record to this point in the season. His appeal as an NFL head coaching candidate has faded over the last few years, but Sumlin seems likely to make the jump to the pros at some point if the right opportunity comes.

The Packers could present that opportunity. Sumlin brings a long-running offensive acumen at the college level, and presumably a fresh perspective, to the equation. Not to keep beating a dead horse, but Rodgers is basically calling for a more progressive offensive mind to push things away from McCarthy’s stale and often predictable play-calling. Leaving anything else in terms of personnel shortcomings aside, Rodgers can overcome a lot of other flaws if he’s fully engaged and playing well.

Sumlin is used to having ample pressure to win, with expectations in College Station and a revolving door of quarterbacks leaving the program putting him on the hot seat despite a 36-16 record over his first four seasons. The NFL is different in that regard for sure, but Sumlin might like to make the jump into a good situation with the Packers.

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2. Josh McDaniels

Josh McDaniels’ 11-17 record over less than two seasons (2009-2010) as head coach of the Denver Broncos is a distant memory at this point, as he’s rehabbed his value on the coaching market under the wing of Bill Belichick over the last five seasons.

Having Tom Brady to work with will make any offensive coordinator or quarterbacks coach look good, and Belichick’s coaching tree has not done well with head coaching opportunities. But amid the Patriots’ 3-1 start without Brady this season, McDaniels was able to coax winning production out of Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett with a different offensive approach. That adaptability is the sign of a good coach, even though now with Brady back under center the Patriots’ offense is surely back to largely being in the quarterback’s hands.

McCarthy’s message, publicly and likely privately as well, is clearly wearing on Rodgers most prominently. So a fresh perspective is needed in Green Bay as soon as possible, one way or another, while Rodgers still has some peak years left. McDaniels obviously has a lot of experience working with a future Hall of Fame quarterback, and he’s still just 40 years old. The fit seems clear for Green Bay, and the opportunity should be right from McDaniels’ end if he wants another shot at being a head coach.

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1. Darrell Bevell

Darrell Bevell is now in his sixth season as Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator, after spending the previous five seasons in the same position with the Minnesota Vikings.

Bevell is surely familiar to Wisconsin football fans, as a University of Wisconsin alum and an assistant quarterbacks coach (2000-2002) and quarterbacks coach (2003-2005) with the Packers. He left for the Vikings when they and the Packers were going to have new head coaches, which is not uncommon since Minnesota and Brad Childress offered a step up the coaching ladder.

The Seahawks offense seems to coming together down the stretch again this season, due in large part to an offensive line that has improved in recent weeks. But Bevell’s work should not be discounted, and head coaching opportunities should be coming his way after Seattle’s (likely) playoff run is over.

If McCarthy is fired whenever the Packers’ season is over, general manager Ted Thompson should have Bevell high on his list of possible replacements. It will probably come down to being willing to wait to interview him, which may not appease fans, but Thompson needs to talk to Bevell before hiring a new head coach.