The Packers Are Falling Apart and It’s Leading to Some Juicy Gossip

The Green Bay Packers entered the year among the favorites to hoist the Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl LIII. They brought in a new GM who signed a premier free agent tight end (Jimmy Graham), re-worked the coaching staff to add on a highly respected defensive coordinator (Mike Pettine), drafted well (and added future draft assets), and were bringing back a healthy Aaron Rodgers.

But after 11 games, the Packers are 4-6-1 and their organization seems like it’s in a bit of a mess.

SI.com’s Kalyn Kahler writes a piece titled “How It All Went Wrong in Packerland” that highlights an organization going through a disappointing season. Drama between the head coach and quarterback? You got it. A failed approach by the previous front office? It’s in there, too. A roster with more questions than answers? Oh, baby, you better believe it.

At the same time the Packers are a team in turmoil, the Bears are a squad on the rise. It’s the stuff you wish you were bold enough to dream of, but wouldn’t dare because things like this simply don’t happen to organizations like the Packers. Except it’s happening. It’s all happening. So you’ll want to read Kahler’s piece because it’s a window into the turbulent times happening for That Team In Wisconsin.

It feels like the winds of change will be blowing through Green Bay soon, with the general consensus being Head Coach Mike McCarthy will be heading out the door at season’s end unless the Packers do something wild like win out, get some help, and make the playoffs. Even if McCarthy is given his exit papers, the belief nationally is that he’ll land on his feet. It’s a reasonable thought for a coach with a .621 winning percentage, nine playoff appearances under his belt, and one Super Bowl title to his name. That’s the kind of résumé that could catch the eye of a rebuilding team looking for stability and experience, particularly with quarterback building in mind.

Perhaps the Cleveland Browns are that team:

NFL insider Benjamin Allbright’s hunch suggests McCarthy as the head-coaching solution in Cleveland. It’s not too crazy to think that could happen. Dorsey was Green Bay’s Director of College Scouting from 2000 until 2001 and the team’s Director of Football Operations in 2012. It’s safe to say Dorsey is quite familiar with McCarthy seeing that their time in Packerland overlapped.

This move would leave Green Bay in the market for a new head coach, leaving Allbright to suggest one leading candidate:

New England Patriots Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels (who interviewed for the Bears gig last offseason) is going to be at the top of every coaching list. Even after he spurned the Indianapolis Colts after a deal seemed to be agreed on in principle, McDaniels’ time under Bill Belichick and success with Tom Brady will make him an attractive candidate. And if the Packers have an opening, it’s not difficult to envision McDaniels being interested in moving from one all-time great QB to another.

The Packers have wasted the last two seasons of Rodgers’ prime and could try to get things going in the right direction by cleaning house on the coaching staff. Things are changing in the NFC North, but not before we enjoy the possibility of the Packers bottoming out this season.

written by

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

more bears news

Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

D-Line Thoughts, Caleb, GM Seth Rollins, Pack Votes No, and Other Bears Bullets

Cubs and White Sox opening day is today today. March Madness resumes with the Fighting Illini playing in the Sweet 16 later tonight. SIU, my alma mater, is reportedly hiring a "Coach Nagy" to lead its basketball team. And what...

Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

Latest News

Heat vs. Trail Blazers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) are heavy underdogs (+14.5) as they attempt to break an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Heat (39-33) at 8:00 PM ET on Friday, March 29, 2024 at FTX Arena. The matchup airs...

Cavaliers vs. 76ers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) take the court against the Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) as 7.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under of 210 points.Cavaliers vs. 76ers OddsCavaliers odds to win:...

Knicks vs. Spurs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The New York Knicks (44-28) are heavily favored (-10) to continue a three-game winning streak when they visit the San Antonio Spurs (17-56) at 8:00 PM ET on Friday, March 29, 2024 at AT&T Center. The contest airs on BSSW....

Wizards vs. Pistons Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Detroit Pistons (12-61) are 2.5-point underdogs as they attempt to turn around an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Washington Wizards (14-59) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Capital One Arena. The matchup airs at 7:00 PM ET...

Pacers vs. Lakers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Los Angeles Lakers (41-32) will attempt to extend a five-game winning streak when they hit the road to play the Indiana Pacers (41-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as just 2.5-point underdogs. The game airs at...

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Western's top two teams, the Denver Nuggets (51-22) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (50-22), hit the court at Ball Arena on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET on ALT. The Nuggets are favored by 6.5 points at home....

Warriors vs. Hornets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Golden State Warriors (38-34) play the Charlotte Hornets (18-54) as double-digit, 11.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET on NBCS. The over/under is set at 218 in the matchup.Warriors vs. Hornets OddsWarriors odds to win:...

Clippers vs. Magic Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Los Angeles Clippers (45-27) visit the Orlando Magic (42-30) after winning three road games in a row. The Clippers are favored by only 1 point in the contest, which starts at 7:00 PM ET on Friday, March 29, 2024....

Bulls vs. Nets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Chicago Bulls (35-38) are favored by 5.5 points against the Brooklyn Nets (28-45) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET. The matchup airs on NBCS. The matchup's over/under is 215.Bulls vs. Nets OddsBulls odds to win: -218Nets...

Kings vs. Mavericks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks (43-29) are 1.5-point underdogs against De'Aaron Fox and the Sacramento Kings (42-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Golden 1 Center. The matchup begins at 10:00 PM ET on NBCS. The over/under for the matchup...

more bears news