Mike McCarthy has plenty on his mind after the Green Bay Packers lost to the Cincinnati Bengals. The last thing the head coach is thinking of is a feud with quarterback. Camera panned right on McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers during Sunday's loss as they were in the middle of a heated exchange on the sideline. Now, both parties are downplaying any idea that there is something wrong between them.
Rodgers went on his weekly radio show on ESPN 540 to discuss the non-existing feud between the quarterback and his head coach. He claims it was merely two passionate people getting competitive and wanting to win.
"That was definitely over and done with after we talked on the sideline," Rodgers said. "Mike and I have been together for a long time and had a lot of success together, a lot of big wins, a lot of fun on the field, in the meeting room conversing during the week. There's a lot of mutual respect there and a lot of competitiveness and passion on both sides, and every now and then that passion collides. It's something that we talked about later and moved forward together."
Rodgers had appeared unhappy after a Packers drive ended with a field goal in the second quarter. He did not agree with the play call by McCarthy after the head coach gestured for the quarterback to come off the field. They had an argument caught on camera.
"I think anytime you get into a situation where there's a change in rhythm and personnel and play calls, things like that, it's frustrating," McCarthy said, via ESPN.com. "I had called a certain play in a certain situation, and he was frustrated by it. I feel good. One [disagreement] every three weeks would be awesome."
This is not the first time Rodgers and McCarthy have had a disagreement. Last season, Rodgers questioned the head coach after throwing a challenge flag on a turnover play. The quarterback also questioned why wide receiver Randall Cobb was still on special teams after he got injured. McCarthy insists everything has been put to rest and he is now focused on how the team can improve their 1-2 record.
In Sunday's loss, Green Bay forced four touchdowns and 30 unanswered points to take the lead against the Bengals. However, a costly turnover gave Cincinnati the go-ahead touchdown and the win. McCarthy told media that he and the coaching are very tuned in with the team on a whole and they will continue to work and make things better.
