Aaron Rodgers reveals touching moment with Mike McCarthy prior to game

Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy enjoyed some immense success together in Green Bay, but Sunday afternoon was the first time they faced off as opponents.

While much has been said regarding their relationship, the former quarterback-coach duo shared a touching moment prior to the game, as Rodgers explained in his postgame press conference.

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“I don’t think Mike suited up tonight, got to check the stats here, he didn’t, yeah,” joked Rodgers. “I’ll tell you, we got to have an extended conversation early on today. We messaged each other and coordinated a time to get together well before kickoff, and that was really, really meaningful, I think for both of us.

“So we had a laugh about it on the field, because people might’ve thought that was the first time we saw each other and hugged each other pregame, but we had a really beautiful conversation before the game. Just really thankful for that time.”

It’s evident that Aaron Rodgers holds Mike McCarthy in high regard, and it’s awesome to hear their relationship is still strong and one built on respect. Perhaps the Packers quarterback is becoming a little sentimental as he enters the twilight of his NFL career, but it’s obvious moments like Sunday hit him a little harder than they used to.

Mike McCarthy ‘disappointed’ with overtime penalty decision in Green Bay loss

Regardless of any good feelings that come out when getting back together with an old friend, Mike McCarthy claimed he was “disappointed” in a penalty called on his offense in overtime during his team’s loss. During the final drive of the game by the Dallas Cowboys, a big run by Tony Pollard was erased by an offensive offside penalty called against wide receiver Jalen Tolbert.

According to McCarthy, Tolbert explained that he checked with the sideline judge before the play began to verify he was lined up correctly — and heard from the official that he was in the right position. Despite receiving confirmation, Tolbert was flagged on the play and the big run by Pollard was brought back.

“After offside penalty, Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert told Mike McCarthy he checked with judge, just as WRs do throughout a game,” explained Dallas Morning News‘ Michael Gehlken. “And it still was called. ‘Disappointing’ for ruling to be made at that time, McCarthy said. Disappointed for his players. Felt they deserved to win.”

The explanation stood out extra after the tough loss for Dallas because Pollard’s run was one of two big plays for Dallas in the ground game in overtime. Another major run by Malik Davis came back after a holding call, setting up the eventual turnover-on-downs for Dallas. Green Bay capitalized on the failed drive with a game-winning field goal, dropping Dallas to 6-3 on the season.

The penalty called wasn’t the only referee decision that Dallas took issue with down the stretch, with a no-call on pass interference coming on third down later in the same drive.

After a pass was completed by Dak Prescott to Dalton Schultz to set up a third-and-three play on the edge of field goal range. Prescott threw a pass to CeeDee Lamb with Jaire Alexander defending over the top, with a replay angle shared on social media that appeared to show Alexander reaching around the front of Lamb’s body before the ball arrived. Lamb immediately calling for a flag after the play and Dallas proceeded to try on fourth-and-three again instead of kicking a field goal of over 50 yards, turning the ball over on downs.