The day after the final day is always a bit uneasy.
The day after Sunday's humiliating curtain call against the Detroit Lions was particularly awkward as media members watched players clean out their lockers, pack their bags and make plans to flush away 2018 and travel home to get ready to ring in the New Year.
The 31-0 loss at home ended the worst Green Bay Packers season in 13 years, a season that cost Mike McCarthy his job, left Joe Philbin in charge for the final month and raised far more questions about the future of the franchise than delivered answers.
Philbin did not conduct exit interviews with every rostered player as was McCarthy's practice in the past but he said his door would be open for anyone to stop by.
His message to the squad in the final team meeting Monday morning was one of thanks, for the respect they gave him while serving as interim Head Coach. He told the team to embrace the inevitable change that will come this off-season, treat it not as a negative but a positive.
Despite going 2-2 in December, Philbin is expected to interview with team President and CEO Mark Murphy and General Manager Brian Gutekunst this week. In his season ending news conference Monday morning, Philbin talked about his expectations of the session, the state of team and the month long opportunity he was given to lead that team.
(Audio: Joe Philbin)
After the press conference, reporters were led into the locker room for the final time.
Players were quietly collecting personal items, they packed duffel bags, tossed their used shoes into large hampers, saying their goodbyes to teammates and last on their list, spending a couple of minutes with reporters.
One straight shooting veteran, guard Lane Taylor was looking forward to knocking back a couple of drinks to ring in 2019. But I started our chat by asking him what he thought happened to the Packers in 2018 and what the guys are saying about their next boss.
(Audio: Lane Taylor)
The list of candidates Murphy must be "cool with" continues to grow. After former Colts Head Coach Chuck Pagano and Lions Head Coach Jim Caldwell were reportedly interview last week, it was reported Sunday night the Packers have asked the New England Patriots permission to speak to Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels and Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores.
The Packers have also expressed interest in speaking with Northwestern University Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald. His team plays Utah in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego Monday night.
Murphy has a relationship with Fitzgerald, having hired him following the death of Randy Walker 13 years ago when Murphy served as Northwestern's Athletic Director.
There will be more names added to the list now that the NFL's Black Monday has hit high speed. The Jets fired Todd Bowles and the Buccaneers released Dirk Koetter already Sunday night, followed by the Bengals parting ways the Marvin Lewis after 16 years today, the Dolphins firing Adam Gase and the Cardinals letting go Steve Wilks.
I've been told the Packers could interview anywhere between 10 and 14 candidates.
It will leave both players and fans alike wondering which direction the franchise will turn. After several handshakes with players on their way out today, we'll both know that direction when we get together again as the 2019 off-season workouts begin.