The partnership between Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy in Green Bay Packers history was as celebrated as it was tumultuous. Spanning 13 seasons from 2006 to 2018, the duo brought a Super Bowl championship to Green Bay but ultimately saw their working relationship deteriorate, culminating in McCarthy’s midseason firing in 2018. Six years later, both have moved on—McCarthy as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys and Rodgers as quarterback of the New York Jets.
Now, McCarthy has made an unexpected appearance in Rodgers’s Netflix docuseries, Aaron Rodgers: Enigma.
The series offers an in-depth look at Rodgers’s journey from junior college athlete to four-time NFL MVP, while also delving into his unconventional off-field interests, including his recovery from a torn Achilles in 2023 and his use of the psychedelic ayahuasca.
McCarthy on Rodgers’s Off-Field Pursuits
Rodgers has long been open about exploring unconventional ideas, including his much-discussed darkness retreat in 2023. Despite criticism from some corners, McCarthy praised Rodgers’s eclectic interests during an interview on Dallas’s 105.3 The Fan.
McCarthy dismissed any notion that Rodgers’s off-field pursuits ever interfered with his performance or leadership in Green Bay. Instead, he recalled how Rodgers’s intellectual curiosity often enhanced the team’s camaraderie and discussions.
“The current events is something I’ve always been a part of,” McCarthy said. “I learned it from our old offensive line coach, Alex Gibbs … That’s a common practice among quarterback rooms I’ve been a part of. What was really cool about Aaron is Aaron has an eclectic brain, interests, and was always very well-read. The current events was always a fun time to start the day.”
McCarthy clarified that this approach to discussing current events wasn’t unique to his time with Rodgers, noting it as a staple of his coaching philosophy across teams.
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A Complicated Past
The dynamic between Rodgers and McCarthy during their Green Bay tenure was not without its challenges. A 2019 report by Tyler Dunne for Bleacher Report painted a picture of friction between the two, citing Rodgers’s alleged belief that McCarthy had a “low football IQ” and that their clashing egos hindered the Packers from achieving even greater success.
By the time McCarthy was let go in 2018, their relationship appeared strained, with many speculating that the split was inevitable. However, both Rodgers and McCarthy have since expressed a greater appreciation for their time together, reflecting on the positive aspects of their partnership.
A Shift in Tone
In recent years, the narrative surrounding Rodgers and McCarthy’s relationship has softened considerably. In 2022, Rodgers spoke to the media about how time and distance had given him a fresh perspective on their time together.
“It’s probably normal in any relationship you have,” Rodgers said. “When you’re able to take time away and you have that separation, it’s natural to look back and have a greater sense of appreciation and gratitude and thankfulness for that time.”
McCarthy echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the personal connection they shared during their years in Green Bay.
“When I think of him, I think of the one-on-one conversations we used to have, especially in the younger days. And it always ended with a hug and, ‘I love ya.’ So that’s what I think about our relationship. I think he made me a much better coach,” McCarthy said.
Moving Forward
Today, McCarthy and Rodgers remain central figures in the NFL, albeit on separate paths. McCarthy has revitalized the Cowboys, leading them to consistent playoff contention, while Rodgers looks to write a new chapter with the Jets.
As Rodgers’s docuseries sheds light on his multifaceted personality, McCarthy’s reflections provide a reminder that their partnership, despite its challenges, was marked by mutual respect and significant achievements.
With both men thriving in their current roles, their shared history serves as a testament to how even complex relationships can foster growth, success, and eventual reconciliation.
