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Packers president reacts to Steelers hiring Mike McCarthy

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Feb 7, 2026 8:02 PM ET

The Green Bay Packers appeared to have a coaching controversy brewing at the start of the offseason.

President Ed Policy and Packers head coach Matt LaFleur entered contract negotiations following their 31-27 loss to the Chicago Bears in the Wild Card round. Eventually, Green Bay agreed to a multiyear contract extension for LaFleur.

The Packers' near vacancy came in the same offseason when their former head coach, Mike McCarthy, took the job to replace Mike Tomlin with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

On the Packers' website, Policy responded to the Steelers hiring McCarthy. Policy has fond memories of McCarthy's time in Green Bay. He also believes the Rooney family, which owns the Steelers, is the “archetype" for owners in the NFL.

"Mike McCarthy is one of my favorite people in the NFL and I couldn't be happier for him and the Pittsburgh Steelers," Policy wrote. "I worked closely with Mike for seven seasons. He is originally from Pittsburgh, less than an hour away from where I grew up in Youngstown, Ohio.

"Mike and I would frequently talk about our hometowns and the people that called that part of the country home. The integrity and grit of people who hail from that region is second to none. We both have a tremendous respect for the Steelers and the Rooney family."

McCarthy was the head coach in Green Bay from 2006 to 2018, going 125-77-2 with the Packers and beating the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. Policy joined Green Bay in 2012 as its vice president and general counsel.

Things didn't end well for McCarthy in Green Bay. He was fired in December of the 2018 regular season following a 20-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. (The Packers were 4-7-1 at the time and finished with a 7-9 record in 2017.)

Policy thinks McCarthy left a proud legacy behind in Green Bay.

"During Mike's time in Green Bay, he had a tremendous impact on our organization and our community and most notably delivered a Lombardi Trophy to Green Bay," Policy wrote.

"I'm reminded of that every morning when I take a left on Mike McCarthy Way on my way into work at Lambeau Field. To go from coaching the Green Bay Packers to the Dallas Cowboys to the Pittsburgh Steelers is truly legendary. Mike is one of one."

McCarthy is 174-112-2 as a head coach in the league. He's made the playoffs 12 times with the Packers and Cowboys.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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