New Contract For Mike McCarthy » Brats & Beer

January 19, 2008
posted under: Mike McCarthy, NFC Championship, Packers

PackersNews.com is reporting today that the Green Bay Packers have reached a deal with head coach Mike McCarthy on a new five-year contract that will pay about $4 million a year. While he didn’t get coach of the year honors (he should have), this is at least some reward for his efforts over the past two years restoring the Packers to playoff — and dare I say it, championship — form.

The timing of the announcement is a little curious to me, though. I expected McCarthy would wait until after the season was over to start negotiating a new deal, not wanting any distractions while coaching his team in the playoffs. On the other hand, it is some relief there is a deal on the table waiting to be signed, probably next week, so the coach’s job is secure regardless of of a win or loss tomorrow.

I’m not sure how much players pay attention to this sort of thing, but it seems like most of the Green Bay players really like McCarthy and want to play for him. Knowing his job is safe probably takes away some of the uncertainty and allows them to focus on the game plan, but maybe if there wasn’t a deal they might play harder if they thought it would help him retain his job.

Can you tell I’m getting a little nervous and jittery as the clock marches toward kickoff of the NFC Championship game that could send the Packers back to the Super Bowl? I think I need something to take my mind off this game for a little while.