In 1998, the Green Bay Packers were fresh off getting to the Super Bowl for the last two seasons. They held a 5-2 record at this time 20 years ago and made the playoffs as a Wild Card team due to the Minnesota Vikings being a force at 15-1 (Shouts to Gary Andersen). But the team had to deal with rumors about their head coach all season especially towards the end. People believed Mike Holmgren would take the Seattle Seahawks job and be their general manager. Ron Wolf would not allow such a thing for Holmgren. Fast forward to 2018, and we could be headed to a similar situation with McCarthy and the Cleveland Browns.

Most of the lists for the new Browns coaches feature McCarthy. It feels too easy for a guy like John Dorsey, the general manager of the Browns. McCarthy is a ‘highly successful football coach’ and can show Cleveland that they’re bringing in someone who knows the game plus can work with young Baker Mayfield. Also, this is very similar to what Dorsey did in Kansas City. Philadelphia let Andy Reid go, and Kansas City snatched him up. Even if the Packers do not fire McCarthy, he has one year left on his deal and likely could figure a way out to get out of the deal.

McCarthy should get a lot of leash in Cleveland. This isn’t a place where Mac needs to show results right away. Another thing that makes Cleveland appealing is all of the front office types that are formerly in Green Bay. Alonzo Highsmith, Eliot Wolf and others could make the transition a helluva easier than Mac going to brand new place of work This seems like the ideal spot for him, and you just wonder if his mind will be on the Packers for the remainder of the season.

I bring that up because in 98′, Packers dealt with a coach that couldn’t have been more distracted and ready to take the next step to Seattle. I remember watching im the next week or so doing a halftime interview in Seattle gear. Let’s hope McCarthy sticks to plan.

Charlie.