Packers might not make Dom Capers decision official immediately

Dom Capers likely coached his final game with the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, a 35-11 defeat at the hands of the Detroit Lions. Multiple reports indicate that head coach Mike McCarthy will move on from his longtime defensive coordinator and begin the process of selecting a replacement, a change many fans have clamored for over the past few years.

However, even if the Packers have already made their decision on Capers, they might not make the move official right away.

McCarthy has released two coordinators during his tenure as Green Bay's head coach, each time waiting more than a week to announce the firings. After the final game of the 2008 season, McCarthy took eight days to release a slew of defensive coaches that included coordinator Bob Sanders. The Packers headman waited even longer after the 2014 season ended ingloriously to officially relieve special-teams coordinator Shawn Slocum of his duties, taking 12 days to formalize the move. If those firings offer any indication, the Packers won't announce their decision on Capers until after the wild-card round.

While the Packers could wait to fire Capers, the process of finding his replacement will begin much sooner. "Black Monday" will bring about considerable change among coaching staffs across the league, making a cavalcade of attractive candidates available. If McCarthy hires the right defensive coordinator, he could fast-track a return to the Super Bowl. If not, he too might find himself without a job in the not-too-distant future.