During his introductory press conference on Tuesday, Panthers head coach Frank Reich mentioned something all Carolina fans hope is true.
“Every year, we see it. We see teams go from big-time losing to big-time winning, even competing for championships all in the space of one year. It’s possible. But how does that happen?” Reich said. “How do you turn things around? The reason we see these things happen is because of what we all already instinctively know is the difference between winning and losing. It’s in the margins. ... It’s one player at a time. It’s one play at a time. It’s one detail at a time.”
So, just how can Carolina start competing for championships?
“It’s about focusing on getting it right,” Reich said. “It’s not a one-man show. You will see that as a coach and as a coaching staff, we will collaborate with ownership. With Scott Fitterer, the (general manager), with Kristi Coleman, the president, the whole crew. We will collaborate together to create a championship-caliber organization.”
Let’s examine how the 2023 championship-game teams were forged and what lessons the Panthers can learn from them as Reich and Carolina executives begin creating their vision of a championship-caliber organization.
Find a big and mobile quarterback
Size plus escapability matter more than ever at quarterback.
Arm talent aside, Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts is as stocky a quarterback as there is. Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes has repeatedly proven that his escapability and off-script playmaking are his most valuable traits. Cincinnati’s 6-foot-4 Joe Burrow is used to being one of the most hit and sacked quarterbacks yet still makes plays.
San Francisco rookie quarterback Brock Purdy is listed at 6-foot-1 and weighs 210 pounds. But his stature could not hold up against the Eagles’ defensive line. Edge rusher Haason Reddick injured Purdy’s throwing elbow just six minutes into the NFC Championship. Then backup Josh Johnson (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) was knocked out of the game with a concussion just 23 plays later.
Championship weekend highlighted why size plus escapability is necessary for NFL quarterbacks. No matter how good an offensive line is, quarterbacks are going to take dangerous in-pocket hits. Smaller quarterbacks are more susceptible to injury. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained multiple concussions this season throwing from the pocket and missed five games including the Dolphins’ lone playoff contest, as an example.
Smaller quarterbacks can succeed in the NFL but are they worth the risk? That’s what every team considering Bryce Young — the No. 1 prospect in the upcoming draft — should ask itself.
Young can make every throw and is a proven leader. But he’s listed at 6-foot and weighs under 200 pounds. Meanwhile, the three other top quarterback prospects (Will Levis, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson) are all 6-foot-3 or taller and weigh between 220 and 235 pounds.
Pass rushers keep getting quicker, faster, bigger and stronger. It’s logical that quarterbacks who are doing the same will continue winning the war of attrition that is the NFL playoffs.
Build on pass-rushing depth
It’s not a new concept but the Eagles’ defensive line is the blueprint to optimal defensive line success. Comparable to how the 2007 New York Giants deployed four defensive ends against Tom Brady and the Patriots in Super Bowl XLI, the Eagles evolved the Giants’ “NASCAR” pass-rush model.
Against the 49ers, Philadelphia most commonly played five-down defensive linemen, two linebackers and four defensive backs. By matching five defensive linemen with the 49ers’ five offensive linemen, the Eagles successfully neutralized Kyle Shanahan’s horizontal run game and then rushed five against the pass.
Offensive lines thrive on double teams and combo blocks. The Eagles forced San Francisco to win one-on-one matchups up front, which is often an advantage for the defense.
After Purdy’s injury, Johnson lasted only 15 dropbacks before being hurt. He was pressured on 11 of those 15 passing attempts, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Eagles dominated up front all season. They finished the season first in sacks and second in pressure rate. In 17 games, the Eagles recorded 70 sacks, which were the third-most in a single season in NFL history. The Chiefs had 55 sacks this year, second most. Carolina’s 35 sacks were eighth fewest this season.
The Panthers are trying to improve their pass rush. Brian Burns and Derrick Brown are blue-chip talents, but Carolina lacks explosive depth. The Eagles are an example of why building on strengths fast-tracks success.
Philadelphia features four 2023 Pro Bowl defensive linemen and multiple former All-Pros and Pro Bowlers. Their backups would start elsewhere.
Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham are the Eagles’ elder statesmen, still playing disruptive football a decade into their careers. General manager Howie Roseman and his staff wisely drafted fourth-round pick Josh Sweat in 2018. Javon Hargrave joined Philadelphia in 2020 via a three-year, $39 million contract. Reddick signed a lucrative deal with the Eagles last offseason. Roseman used the No. 13 pick on interior rusher Jordan Davis and then signed veterans Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph months later.
The way Carolina has thrown darts at the veteran-quarterback board post-Cam Newton should be how it addresess pass rusher under Reich. There is no guarantee it works, as the Buffalo Bills’ expensive yet underwhelming pass rush proved this postseason. But the Eagles’ talent evaluators accurately identified pass rushers and Roseman invested in those players.
Pour resources into offensive weapons
A great offensive line lifts a team’s floor. But great offensive weapons break championship ceilings.
Chiefs aside, three of the four conference championship teams featured either two top-35 picks at wide receiver or a top-five paid tight end. The Bengals’ Tee Higgins (No. 33 pick in 2020), and Ja’Marr Chase (No. 5 pick in 2021) are arguably the best wide receiver duo in football. Eagles receivers A.J. Brown was traded for a first-round pick and is paid like a top-five receiver, and his running mate DeVonta Smith (No. 10 pick in 2021) are just as talented.
San Francisco’s skill position players Deboo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Kyle Juszczyk are all either the highest-paid player at their respective position or a top-36 draft pick.
The Eagles, Bengals and 49ers all started quarterbacks still on rookie contracts. It’s believed Panthers owner David Tepper is targeting a rookie quarterback this offseason. By paying the most important position in sports a rookie salary, teams can pour additional resources into their young quarterback’s weapons rather than only featuring one blue-chip pass catcher like Dallas or Buffalo.
Hire a veteran coaching staff
None of the above matters if Reich does not build with an experienced staff. Coaching styles vary but every successful NFL coach must possess expertise in five key areas. The coach must be adept at preparation, strategy, tactics, execution and situational intuition.
Reich already has retained special teams coordinator Chris Tabor and offensive line coach James Campen, who each demonstrated those five traits last season. Carolina requested permission to interview Jaguars pass game coordinator Jim Bob Cooter for its offensive coordinator position and reportedly will add former Lions running back coach Duce Staley to its staff.
Regaresless of who becomes offensive coordinator, it’s likely Reich calls plays. Which is why no is hire will be more important than defensive coordinator.
Collaboration is essential for Reich, as he repeated multiple times during his introductory press conference, and finding the right mix of veteran coaches will be key.
