GREEN BAY, Wis. -- As the Green Bay Packers kicked off organized team activity practices on Monday, Mike McCarthy began his search for new leaders. And as he begins prepping for his 12th season as the Packers’ coach, this isn’t the first time he’s been through that process.
But it may be the most challenging.
McCarthy watched Pro Bowl right guard T.J. Lang, likely future Pro Football Hall of Fame pass-rusher Julius Peppers and do-everything defensive back Micah Hyde all leave via free agency in March. And while general manager Ted Thompson did alter his usual modus operandi by signing several veteran free agents -- tight end Martellus Bennett, guard Jahri Evans and defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois among them -- figuring out just who’ll join quarterback Aaron Rodgers as a team leader will be a process.