In a bittersweet homecoming, Mike McCarthy will travel to Wisconsin for the first time since his departure in 2018. Coach McCarthy also celebrated his 59th birthday this week. He will look to continue his birthday celebrations when the weekend arrives. Meanwhile, his former quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, would look to spoil the Dallas coach’s party. 

Coach McCarthy arrived in Wisconsin in 2006, Aaron Rodgers’ 2nd professional season. He stayed in the Mid West for 12 long seasons before shifting base to Dallas. As the Packers look to revive their season, Aaron Rodgers looks to welcome his ex-coach with open arms to Lambeau Field.

 Aaron Rodgers gets emotional about former coach

Aaron Rodgers is not known to have had the best relationship with his former coach. However, he has shown nothing but respect and love for the man, whom he owes a thing or two. Having played with him for thirteen years, Rodgers has received quite the mentorship from his head coach.

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In a surprise for most of the NFL community, Rodgers revealed that he keeps in touch with his former coach and also still looks up to him. “I think as time goes by, the gratitude for that time as you look back on the journey of your career goes up a little bit. I appreciate the little things a little bit more because really this game and life is about the journey,” said a much wiser Rodgers as he approaches the tail end of his career. “I’ll always be tied with him because of the connection that we had and the years we spent together. Obviously my longest-tenured coach, my longest-tenured play-caller. I’m thankful for those years and thankful maybe a little bit more now as the years go by,” continued Rodgers as he showcased a much softer side to him before their matchup. 

The toxic relationship

The quarterback-coach duo has won one Superbowl championship during their time together. While more was expected out of the two, they never managed to crack each other’s potential to the finest. Rodgers and McCarthy’s relationship is best summarized in their very visible on-field feuds. The duo was often engaged in a war of words.

With multiple indifferences between the head coach and quarterback, team productivity was always going to be on the line. Some state their beef dates back to the 2005 draft when McCarthy picked Alex Smith over Rodgers as the 49ers’ head coach. In what would be the ideal move for Rodgers, Coach McCarthy stood in the way. Somehow the duo managed to survive a 13-year toxic relationship banking on each other.

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Ever since McCarthy left the Packers, so has the team’s glory. With the Cowboys, he has had quite a successful few years. Currently, at 6-2, Coach McCarthy will look to continue his birthday party as he takes on Aaron Rodgers’ beat-up squad. Packers fans will hope Rodgers shows up with a point to prove to his old coach as they look to him for a season revival and to better their record from 3-6.