What Is 2018 Green Bay Packers football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 Green Bay Packers finished the NFL season with a 6–9–1 record, missing the playoffs under head coach Mike McCarthy for the first 13 games and interim coach Joe Philbin for the final two. Aaron Rodgers started 10 games after recovering from a knee injury sustained in 2017.

Key Facts

Finished regular season with a 6–9–1 record, their worst since 2008
Started 1–1–1 in their first three games, including a tie against the Chicago Bears
Aaron Rodgers missed the first seven games due to a broken collarbone from 2017
Head coach Mike McCarthy was fired after a Week 13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals
Interim head coach Joe Philbin led the team to a 2–2 finish to close the season

Overview

The 2018 Green Bay Packers season marked a transitional year for the franchise, failing to reach the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Under the leadership of head coach Mike McCarthy for most of the year, the team struggled with inconsistency on both offense and defense, finishing with a 6–9–1 record—their worst since 2008.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers returned after missing seven games in 2017 due to a broken collarbone, but the team failed to regain its previous form. The season concluded with McCarthy's dismissal and interim coach Joe Philbin taking over for the final two games, highlighting a period of organizational uncertainty.

Record: The Packers finished 6–9–1, their first season with double-digit losses since 2005, and failed to qualify for the postseason.
Injuries:Aaron Rodgers started only 10 games after recovering from a broken collarbone suffered in Week 6 of the 2017 season.
Coaching change:Mike McCarthy was fired after a Week 13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, ending his 13-year tenure as head coach.
Interim leadership:Joe Philbin served as interim head coach for the final two games, going 2–0 in those matchups.
Defensive struggles: The defense allowed 22.4 points per game, ranking 26th in the NFL, a major factor in their poor record.

How It Works

The 2018 Packers season can be understood through key operational and structural elements, including coaching decisions, player performance, and injury management. Each component influenced the team’s on-field results and long-term trajectory.

Quarterback Play:Aaron Rodgers posted a 103.7 passer rating in 10 starts, but the offense averaged only 21.6 points per game, down from previous years.
Running Game:Jamaal Williams led the team with 555 rushing yards, while Aaron Jones added 487 yards despite missing time due to suspension.
Receiving Corps:Davante Adams recorded 1,386 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns, emerging as Rodgers’ top target in a thin wide receiver group.
Defensive Coordinator:Mike Pettine took over defensive play-calling, but the unit ranked 28th in third-down efficiency and struggled against the pass.
Special Teams: Kicker Mason Crosby made 24 of 29 field goals, including a long of 56 yards, maintaining his reliability under pressure.
Turnover Margin: The team finished with a –6 turnover margin, with Rodgers throwing 12 interceptions compared to 25 touchdowns.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2018 Packers season compared poorly to recent successful campaigns, particularly the 2016 season when they reached the NFC Championship Game.

Season	Record	Points Per Game	Defensive Rank	Playoff Result
2018	6–9–1	21.6	26th	Missed Playoffs
2016	10–6	27.0	12th	NFC Championship
2014	12–4	26.8	10th	NFC Divisional
2011	15–1	35.0	21st	NFC Championship
2007	13–3	28.6	13th	NFC Championship

The data shows a significant decline in performance from peak years. While the 2018 team had individual bright spots, such as Davante Adams’ breakout season, overall execution and depth were lacking compared to earlier successful squads. The defense’s poor ranking and coaching instability contributed heavily to the downturn.

Why It Matters

The 2018 season was a pivotal moment in Packers history, signaling the end of the McCarthy era and prompting a reevaluation of team leadership and roster construction. It set the stage for future changes, including the hiring of Matt LaFleur as head coach in 2019.

Coaching transition: The firing of Mike McCarthy ended a 13-year run that included a Super Bowl XLV victory, marking a new chapter for the franchise.
Roster overhaul: The team began retooling the defense in the 2019 offseason, drafting Rashan Gary and signing Za'Darius Smith.
Quarterback confidence: Despite injuries, Aaron Rodgers remained the centerpiece, with the front office committing to him long-term.
Front office evolution: General Manager Steve Mariucci faced scrutiny, leading to increased influence from new personnel executives.
Fan engagement: The losing record and coaching drama tested fan loyalty, though attendance remained strong at Lambeau Field.
Future impact: The struggles of 2018 directly influenced the 2019 rebuild, which returned the Packers to playoff contention.

Ultimately, the 2018 Green Bay Packers season served as a necessary low point that catalyzed organizational change. While disappointing in the moment, it laid the groundwork for a renewed competitive era under new leadership.