McCarthy says Capers will return as defensive coordinator

Talk about it

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy says he’s confident that Dom Capers will stay on as Green Bay’s defensive coordinator.

Saturday’s night’s crushing loss at San Francisco raised speculation that Capers might be on the way out after four years. But McCarthy says he’ll review the entire season with Capers, and he’ll determine his overall leadership ability before making any decisions.

Capers says he wants to stay and get to work on fixing the problems that led to San Francisco getting 579 yards against the Pack in its divisional playoff loss to the 49ers.

McCarthy and Capers expected to meet all day Wednesday, something they normally do within the first week after the season ends.

McCarthy was irritated Tuesday when reporters raised questions about Capers’ future. He said he won’t be making any rash decisions.

Capers said it was not true that he didn’t respond to what the 49ers were doing with scrambling quarterback Colin Kaepernick. He said he tried several things to slow him down.

McCarthy met with each player individually before they went home for the winter. He says he’s getting a good filter to “sort out what’s real and what’s emotion.”

Offensive coordinator staying, too

Packers offensive coordinator Tom Clements is apparently staying put.

Clements interviewed for the head coaching vacancy in Chicago, but numerous media reports say the Bears have hired Marc Trestman to replace the fired Lovie Smith.

Clements was one of at least 10 people considered by the Bears for the coaching vacancy. He was not among the three finalists.

Former Wisconsin quarterback and Packers assistant Darrell Bevell was among the finalists, along with Indianapolis offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.

Trestman was an NFL assistant for years, until he joined the Canadian Football League in 2008 as the head coach of the Montreal Alouettes. His teams won two Grey Cup CFL championships.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers says the Bears might have been a good fit for Clements, but he says he’s glad the Packers have him. Rodgers calls Clements a “fine coach and a better man.”

Tags: wi sports, sports, proam