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Former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy’s first extended interview since being fired by the team last December went live on Wednesday morning and it includes discussion of his relationship with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.That relationship was in the crosshairs at various points over McCarthy’s 13 years on the job. Rodgers was the starter for 11 of those seasons and it wasn’t unheard of for him to make public criticisms of the offense or to hear about complaints he made on the sideline about play calls during games.McCarthy told Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com that he was “not aware” of anything that went on during games and used the words “challenging Antonio Morrison Jersey White , very rewarding and fun” to describe coaching Rodgers. McCarthy added that the challenging part of things was impossible to avoid given the length of time they spent together.“When I think about my relationship with Aaron, you’re talking about 13 years,” McCarthy said. “That’s a very long time. It’s been a privilege to watch him grow in so many different ways and see him do so many great things on the field and off. To think you can be in a relationship that long and not have any frustrations, that’s unrealistic.”McCarthy called it “a joy” to work with a quarterback as talented as Rodgers and said he feels he’s a better person and coach because of the time the two men spent together. He’ll need to wait a while before putting the better coach portion of that belief to the test Womens Marcedes Lewis Jersey , but we’ll get a look at how Rodgers deals with a new head coach much sooner. Packers CEO Mark Murphy decided after Sunday’s loss that something needed to change. And Murphy decided to make that change immediately, by firing head coach Mike McCarthy.“I felt that change was needed,” Murphy told reporters on Monday. “Mike鈥檚 tenure had run its course. I think we needed a new voice. And it happens in our league.”Murphy compared the decision to the firing of Andy Reid in Philadelphia after the 2012 season, his 14th with the Eagles. Reid has thrived in Kansas City Womens Geronimo Allison Jersey , and the Eagles are the defending Super Bowl champions.The loss to the Cardinals clearly was the catalyst for change in Green Bay, both for Murphy and for G.M. Brian Gutekunst, who participated in the decision that ultimately was made by Murphy.Murphy defended the decision to make the change now, a decision that some have criticized.“It’s a competitive process Jaire Alexander Jersey White ,” Murphy said, adding that the decision “gets us into the market earlier.” Murphy added that McCarthy benefits, too.“I think he’s going to be a strong candidate,” Murphy said of McCarthy. “It allows him to focus on the next opportunity for him.”Still Womens Montravius Adams Jersey , this move was about making the Packers better than they’ve been.“We have a great history and tradition here,” Murphy said. “We’re very disappointed in what we鈥檝e seen this year. Particularly the performance last night was unacceptable.”Fans would say plenty of things have been unacceptable in recent years. And while a loss to a subpar warm-weather team on a cold-weather day in an iconic stadium against a team in its 100th season may have broken the camel’s back, the camel had been struggling for a couple of years.