Legendary Green Bay Packers QB Bart Starr, who led the team to five championships including their first two Super Bowls, dies aged 85

• Starr passed away in Birmingham, Alabama, on Sunday, his family announced 
• He had suffered a major stroke in 2014 and his health had been failing ever since
• A Pro Football Hall of Famer, Starr played for the Packers from 1956-1971
• First quarterback in history to win five National Football League championships, is one of only five NFL players to win multiple Super Bowl MVP awards
• Had recently celebrated his 65th wedding anniversary with his wife Cherry 

There had to be a breaking point that doomed the football relationship between Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy.

The signs were visible well before the shocking 20-17 loss to the Cardinals in December that ultimately led to McCarthy’s firing. For years, Rodgers’ defiance and frustration were apparent.

But how far back does the animosity go?

Was it Week 3 of the 2017 season, when Rodgers yelled “Stupid fucking call!” at McCarthy? Or was it the NFC Championship Game on January 18, 2015, where McCarthy’s conservative play-calling angered Rodgers? Maybe it was 2013, during a heated exchange in a loss to Cincinnati.

Observers say the tension dates even further back. During their 15-1 season in 2011 and Super Bowl win in 2010, Rodgers was already seething at McCarthy. The discord can be traced back to McCarthy’s hiring in early 2006. Rodgers never forgot that McCarthy, then the 49ers offensive coordinator, had chosen Alex Smith over him in the draft, a grudge that fueled their contentious relationship.

Ryan Grant, a former Packers running back, noted that Rodgers held a chip on his shoulder against McCarthy from the start. Another teammate described their relationship as a “large cancer in the locker room.” Despite their success, behind the scenes, Rodgers regularly criticized McCarthy’s football IQ and decision-making.

As the team’s performance plateaued, the cracks in their relationship became more evident. Former players, like DuJuan Harris, described how tensions grew with losses, leading to mutual resentment. Despite their playoff streak and McCarthy’s accolades, many believe the Packers underachieved, missing out on multiple Super Bowl victories.

Disagreements over play-calling were central to their issues. Rodgers felt McCarthy’s schemes were outdated, forcing him to take more control. This dynamic intensified as the team’s talent dwindled and McCarthy failed to innovate, leading to predictable and ineffective plays.

The tension extended beyond the field. McCarthy’s occasional absence from team meetings, opting for massages instead, eroded respect among players. Rodgers, committed and driven, found it increasingly difficult to respect a coach who seemed detached.

While some teammates defended McCarthy, many believed he mismanaged Rodgers, failing to keep the star quarterback happy and motivated. McCarthy’s rotation of assistant coaches and reluctance to hire strong offensive minds to challenge Rodgers further strained their relationship.

McCarthy’s leadership style also faced criticism. Some saw him as a player’s coach, while others viewed him as a “fake tough guy” whose leniency led to a soft team mentality. This was particularly evident in crucial moments, such as the NFC title game in 2015, where poor decisions and lack of preparedness led to a collapse against the Seahawks.

Overall, the saga of Rodgers and McCarthy is a tale of wasted potential and clashing egos, leaving fans and analysts to wonder what could have been if their relationship had been managed better.