The Packers fired coach Mike McCarthy on Sunday after an embarrassing, 20-17 loss to the Cardinals at home. The loss dropped Green Bay to 4-7-1 on the season and will likely keep it out of the postseason for the second consecutive season.
McCarthy was one of the longest-tenured coaches in the NFL. He had a 125-77-2 record since he took over in 2006, and he led the Packers to a victory in Super Bowl 45.
MORE: Why the Packers fired Mike McCarthy
The Packers’ next hire is critical, because it will define the back end of star quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ career with the franchise. McCarthy re-energized Brett Favre when he arrived as coach. The next coach will have the same mission with a different QB, and the presence of Rodgers will make this job one of the most desirable openings in the NFL.
That is why it will attract interesting candidates from both the NFL and college ranks. Green Bay must be open-minded with this hire, too.
With that in mind, here are the most logical candidates to replace McCarthy.
Josh McDaniels, Patriots offensive coordinator
McDaniels, 42, will be among the most popular choices. The New England offensive coordinator has worked with Tom Brady, and he has learned from Bill Belichick. There is a risk factor — Indianapolis found this out last season — and McDaniels was 11-17 in his first stint as a head coach with Denver in 2009-10. This remains one of the most logical choices on the board.
John DeFilippo, Vikings offensive coordinator
Remember when the Vikings signed Brett Favre? This could be low-key revenge, of sorts, if the Packers could pluck the Vikings offensive coordinator away from his current position. DeFilippo was the quarterbacks coach in Philadelphia the last two seasons, and he is a creative play-caller who could work well with Rodgers.
Kris Richard, Cowboys passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach
Sensing a theme here? Richard, 39, is the passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Cowboys, who have enjoyed a renaissance on the defensive side of the ball this season. The Packers don’t have to target just offensive coaches, given the biggest issue in recent seasons has been defense. Richard is an intriguing candidate as a result.
MORE: Eventually, Packers fans will feel appreciation for Mike McCarthy
Matt LaFleur, Titans offensive coordinator
The Titans offensive coordinator seems pegged for a head coaching job soon, and he worked with the Rams last season. He’s also just 39 and already has experienced seen several stops at both the NFL and college levels. He comes from the Shanahan coaching tree, which re-invented John Elway late in his career.
Eric Bienemy, Chiefs offensive coordinator
Bienemy has worked with the Chiefs since 2013, and he has fit well as the offensive coordinator for one of the best offenses in the NFL. Bienemy has not been a head coach in college or in the pros, so there is a risk factor here. Still, it would be interesting to incorporate those Chiefs offensive concepts in Green Bay.
Pete Carmichael Jr., Saints offensive coordinator
The Saints offensive coordinator has been with the organization since 2006 as a quarterbacks coach, passing game coach and now the OC. If anybody can tap into the creativity that Sean Payton has possessed with the Saints, then it’s Carmichael Jr. It would feel oddly familiar considering McCarthy was a former offensive coordinator in New Orleans and San Francisco before he took over as head coach in Green Bay.
Gary Kubiak, Broncos senior personnel advisor
Kubiak reportedly wants to get back into coaching, and he was 21-11 in two seasons with Denver. He led the Broncos to a victory in Super Bowl 50 with a top-flight defense and a veteran quarterback in Peyton Manning. That is the combination Green Bay needs over the next few years if it wants to get back to the top.
John Harbaugh, Ravens head coach
If Harbaugh’s time in Baltimore comes to an end, then he will be almost immediately picked up by another NFL team. He led the Ravens to six playoff appearances and a Super Bowl 37 victory, but Baltimore has not made the postseason since 2014. Harbaugh is not one of the up-and-coming candidates on this list, but he is a solid pick who made it work with Joe Flacco for a long time. He would help the defense.
Ron Rivera, Panthers head coach
Rivera is a defensive-minded coach, but he has been a consistent winner in Carolina. The Panthers have been to the playoffs in four of the last five seasons before this year, and there has been a little more strain this season. Rivera knows the Packers' rivalries from his days with the Bears, and it falls under the not-flashy-but-solid-category.
Jeff Tedford, Fresno State head coach
Tedford was Rodgers’ coach in college, and this is admittedly a longshot. Still, he has led Fresno State to a 21-6 the last two seasons. Tedford was an assistant coach with the Buccaneers in 2014, and his experience at the professional level is limited. Still, Tedford might get a look.
Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma head coach
Riley will be mentioned on almost every NFL coaching list because of his offensive mind that has generated one of the most exciting offenses in recent memory at the college level. Riley, however, will not be available for interviews until after the Sooners’ run in the College Football Playoff, and he has denied interest in the NFL to this point. Still, it is a chance to collaborate with Rodgers at the highest level. That would be fun, especially if Riley were to bring Kliff Kingsbury as offensive coordinator.
