Packers' Mike McCarthy says changes will be made to offensive coaching staff

The Packers will have a new QB coach and offensive coordinator next season

By Jared Dubin

Jan 4, 2018 at 2:03 pm ET • 1 min read

The Green Bay Packers took a step backward offensively in 2017, largely due to the long-term injury to star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Packers averaged 26.8 points per game during the six games Rodgers finished and just 15.9 points per game during the 10 games either started or finished by backup Brett Hundley.

Despite the clear injury-related reasons for the poorer performance, the Packers are making a bunch of changes to their offense this offseason. Coach Mike McCarthy detailed some of those changes during his season-ending press conference on Thursday.

#Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy's season-ending press conference https://t.co/YvbS8BITj9
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 4, 2018

First of all, quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt is moving on. Second, offensive coordinator Edgar Bennett is transitioning into a new role. The change at quarterbacks coach was apparently in the works for a while.

McCarthy: Alex Van Pelt is pursuing other opportunities & will not return as QB coach...In conversations with Edgar Bennett, going to make some adjustments to our offensive coordinator position.
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 4, 2018

McCarthy says he's continuing to talk with Edgar Bennett about retaining him on staff, but he won't be the #Packers offensive coordinator. AVP also gone as his contract expired, and he's looking for new opportunities.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) January 4, 2018

McCarthy says decision for Alex Van Pelt to depart as a free agent was made last year: "This is a moment he's prepared himself for."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) January 4, 2018

In an unsurprising statement, McCarthy said that Rodgers will have at least some input on the new hires, and that his input will be "very important." Rodgers will turn 35 years old toward the end of next season, but he has not shown any signs of slowing down over the last couple years. He's got two seasons remaining on his contract and it's not hard to see him playing beyond those two seasons, so his getting along with the new coordinator and QB coach is obviously of paramount importance.