The Green Bay Packers are set to make some significant changes along their coaching staff.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that the Packers plan to elevate offensive coordinator Tom Clements to associate head coach and have him assume play-calling duties, a task previously handled by coach Mike McCarthy. Wide receivers coach Edgar Bennett will be tabbed to replace Clements as offensive coordinator.
WDUZ-FM in Green Bay first reported the moves.
This comes approximately one month after McCarthy openly wondered why his assistant coaches weren't being connected to head-coach vacancies in the same way assistants from other successful teams have been. The decision to relinquish play-calling duties is significant for McCarthy, who now puts two of his trusted assistants in much more visible positions entering 2015.
Criticism of his conservative play-calling the NFC Championship Game aside, it's hard to take issue with McCarthy's ability as a play-caller. The Packers were first in the NFL in scoring this season and quarterback Aaron Rodgers took NFL MVP honors. The offense was so deadly prior to Rodgers' calf injury that many games saw the Packers opting to take the foot off the pedal in the second half after an early scoring barrage.
In other words, Clements has been handed the keys to a Ferrari in mint condition. If McCarthy wanted people to take better notice of his staff, this is a smart of doing it.
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