Packers: Offseason of uncertainty and change ahead

A long offseason of uncertainty awaits the Green Bay Packers.

The 2018 season is mercifully over. The Packers faltered to a 6-9-1 record and for the second straight year, will not participate in the postseason.

For just the second time since 1992, the Packers will not be in the playoffs in consecutive years. As a result, they now face an offseason of uncertainty and change.

Every offseason has change to some degree, but for the first time in 13 years, the Packers will be making a change at the most important non-player position: the head coach.

Mike McCarthy was fired from his position with four weeks left to go in the season and the search for a new head coach began. Joe Philbin was first to get an unofficial job interview as he was named interim head coach and basically given a four-game on-the-job interview to put his best pitch forward.

It was a long shot to begin with, and whatever chances he may have had probably went out the door with a 31-0 uninspired effort by his team against the Lions.

That change brings with it the uncertainty of what or who’s next. The Packers have already interviewed Chuck Pagano and Jim Caldwell, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Also according to Rapoport, the team will interview Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels this week. Jim McBride of the Boston Globe reported that Green Bay is expected to request permission to interview Patriots defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

More interviews will come over the next two weeks, but the Packers have wasted no time getting their first rounds in.

The naming of a new head coach could happen fast. With so many openings this offseason, the Packers will want to move quickly to get their guy.

After the hire, there comes the uncertainty of knowing what system he may run. Will there be a new offense, a new defensive coordinator or changes across the board?

It may still take a year or two to determine if it was the right hire. As much as we’d all love to see the team and coach find success right away, that doesn’t always happen.

The change won’t stop at the head position. There is roster turnover every year, but this offseason could see a few longtime players move on from the Packers. Clay Matthews and Randall Cobb have expiring contracts, while we could see the Packers cut ties from Nick Perry and Bryan Bulaga.

There is also a surprise cut or two that happens most offseasons. Coming off two forgettable years, there may be only a few players that are safe from the axe.

Change could, and probably should be plentiful.

With almost $40 million in cap space, according to Spotrac, two first-round picks, and 10 draft picks overall, there could be a new group of players to help get the Packers back into playoff contention.

A combination of the right hire and GM Brain Gutekunst using all his resources will be the key to a quick turnaround.

The Packers don’t play in another meaningful game for nine months. And the only certainty over the next few months will be change. So buckle up Packers fans, it could be a long, bumpy ride until next September.