Former Packer HC McCarthy to sit out 2019 season

After being passed over for head-coaching jobs by the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets, former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy told NFL Network he will sit out the 2019 season. McCarthy will prepare and be ready for 2020, he told the network, and spend the interim time with his wife and five kids in Green Bay.

Per multiple reports Wednesday, the Browns are promoting interim offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens to head coach, while the Jets are hiring former Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase. McCarthy was believed to be a top candidate with the Arizona Cardinals, but he reportedly did not have interest in the job. McCarthy, 55, was fired after Week 13 as the Packers dropped to 4-7-1 amid their second consecutive losing

season, and just the third of McCarthy's 13-year tenure. Overall, McCarthy went 125-77-2 in Green Bay, including eight seasons with 10-plus wins and a Super Bowl championship following the 2010 season. Before joining the Packers, McCarthy spent six years as an offensive coordinator (one with the San Francisco 49ers, five with the New Orleans Saints), seven years as an assistant on various NFL staffs and six years on college staffs. He hasn't missed a year of coaching since becoming a graduate assistant at Fort Hays State in 1987.  

(With inputs from agencies.)