GREEN BAY, Wis. — Mike McCarthy returns to Lambeau Field Sunday, this time as coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

McCarthy spent nearly 13 years as the Green Bay Packers head coach, before he was fired in 2018. He won a Super Bowl and five division titles. He got emotional this week when asked about Green Bay.

“Jessica, [my wife], was born there, kids were born there. I miss the people,” said McCarthy.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for him, first and foremost,” said current Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. “Everything he’s accomplished throughout the course of his career. Obviously, winning the Super Bowl here and maintaining a high level of consistency throughout his coaching career. You’re seeing it now in Dallas as well.”

Not too many Packers players who played for McCarthy remain. Aaron Rodgers and Mason Crosby are among the few left.

“Mike’s Pittsburgh toughness and grit on the outside and a big soft teddy bear on the inside,” said Rodgers, reflecting on McCarthy. “I think that’s a great combination to have. But there were definitely some tears over the years, both in team settings and some one-on-one settings. Him and I definitely shed some tears over the years together in conversations, usually happy tears. Mike’s a big-hearted guy and I like to see him let the emotions come out.”

Rodgers didn’t practice Wednesday, so he could get treatment for his thumb. He said he remembers a chance encounter with McCarthy shortly after the head coach was let go.

“There was a morning, like 7:30, and I’m coming in the stadium off the freeway,” said Rodgers. “I’m on Lombardi at Ridge and I look over to my left and I see Mike in his truck. It was really a weird feeling. That’s when it hit me that he was no longer head coach.”

Crosby also reflected on his time playing under McCarthy.

“He supported me through my career here, through the ups and downs,” said Crosby. “Just the type of man he is. It will be good to see him.”

From all their years together as teammates, Crosby knows Rodgers very well. I asked Crosby how he thinks Rodgers is handling this season.

“I think Aaron’s always a consummate leader,” said Crosby. “He’s always going to come to work and be the same guy. He’s going to do as much as he can to make sure that he’s at the top of his game.”

The Packers placed linebacker Rashan Gary on injured reserve after he tore his ACL. They’ve signed former Raiders safety Johnathan Abram.