Last year, Mike McCarthy discussed his tenure with Green Bay a LOT heading into the postseason, and he says it’s a mistake he won’t repeat
As head coach Mike McCarthy prepares to lead his Cowboys on a playoff charge, he will be facing a franchise he knows very well. Dallas’ current leader previously spent 12 seasons under the headset in Green Bay – peaking with a victory at Super Bowl XLV. But he wants to leave those days behind, as he lines his team up for a potential trip to Sin City next month
Mike McCarthy Has A Lot On The Line
McCarthy knows full well that postseason success could tie directly to his job security for 2024. Despite a few votes of confidence here and there, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hasn’t guaranteed that his play-caller will return next season.
So, Mike McCarthy isn’t leaving anything to chance as Dallas (12-5) prepares to take on Green Bay in what promises to be an intriguing match-up. Led by MVP candidate Dak Prescott and dazzling receiver CeeDee Lamb, the ‘Boys have turned it on late in the year, making a case that they just might be the NFC representative at this year’s Super Bowl in Las Vegas.
Last year? He was in a similar situation, as his squad was eventually upset in overtime by the Pack, 31-28, in a regular season matchup. At the time, he made sure to mention to his team what the game meant – based on his former life at Lambeau.
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McCarthy’s Packers’ Past Is Irrelevant Now
But now? Mike McCarthy regrets bringing up the ghosts of his gridiron past. He says it’s a mistake he won’t make again.
“Last year, I thought it was important for me to talk about Green Bay at the beginning of the week. I did with the team. I regretted it,” McCarthy said on Monday. “I don’t think that. That doesn’t even need to come into our energy base. So, you live and learn.”
“This game’s about our commitment. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing, and it really doesn’t,” McCarthy said. “I had no stake, I didn’t watch one game prior to yesterday’s contest in preparation. I started last night on the plane. That’s where I am.”
Dallas has home-field advantage and is the No. 2 seed in the NFC. So it will be interesting to see what QB Jordan Love and Green Bay will do to offset the Cowboys and the hot-handed Prescott, who has thrown for 4,516 yards, 36 touchdowns, and only nine interceptions on the year.
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