The Green Bay Packers are planning some changes to their coaching staff that would result in head coach Mike McCarthy no longer calling offensive plays.
WDUZ in Green Bay reporter Chris Havel reported Sunday that the Packers are planning to promote former running back Edgar Bennett to offensive coordinator. The Packers would also make Tom Clements an associate head coach with play-calling duties.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport later confirmed the report and also said Clements would be calling plays.
McCarthy has been the head coach of the Packers since 2006 and has been the team’s primary play-caller. His entire coaching background is as an offensive coach.
After the Packers lost in the NFC Championship Game to the Seahawks, Aaron Rodgers complained about the offense becoming too conservative late in the game, which contributed to the team’s choke job. It is unclear whether that or something else played a role in this decision. Another issue is that McCarthy giving up the playcalling duties would allow him to oversee more aspects of game-day decisions. For instance, in the same playoff game Clay Matthews was not on the field for a few plays. McCarthy later said his duties as a playcaller keep him from knowing about everyone’s medical status.
