If you go into the Green Bay Packers locker room and ask ‘Who do you want to coach the team next year?’ The answer is Joe Philbin. He is a well-liked guy throughout the locker room. Packers veterans want him to be the guy especially on offense. Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams have been the most vocal to keep Philbin as the Packers coach. Many fans would say that’s not the option to go for the team. Everyone hates change, and Adams/Rodgers will have to get used to a new regime because the Packers cannot continue on with this model.

This is the hardest thing that Brian Gutekunst and Mark Murphy will have to do this year. They cannot give into Rodgers or Adams by hiring Philbin. If he stays, the message is going to be read loud and clear – ‘The players are running the organization, not management.’ There is already sort of a feel of that with the team choosing Rodgers over Mike McCarthy, which was the right thing to do, but this drives home the point. Even if the former Dolphins head coach is not Mike Sherman, the fans will paint him out to be that person.

If they hire someone else, players are going to be mad. It’s going to take some time to build those bridges. Kimberly Martin did a piece on Anthony Lynn, the Los Angeles Chargers coach, explaining how Lynn makes ‘Everyone vulnerable in the locker room’ and how it’s a ‘safe space’ for players. I do think with Adams and Rodgers both wanting things to stay the same, it shows how much this team needs a players-first coach. McCarthy never felt like that. He always seemed like someone who was stuck in his ways. Phiblin isn’t that guy, and the brain trust of the Packers should see that’s the number one quality they need in their next head coach.

Philbin will not be the head coach of the 2019 Green Bay Packers. But do not be surprised if the attitude and demeanor of the current head coach stays in the locker room.

Charlie.