The Carolina Panthers and owner David Tepper have had a type for their head-coaching search since day one. And on day 100—dating back to the exact time Matt Rhule was fired—not much has changed.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, the Panthers remain likelier to hire a young offensive coordinator as their next head coach than promote 2022’s interim leader Steve Wilks. Fowler, in a report from Wednesday, writes:
“In Carolina, Wilks will likely be a finalist, but there’s a feeling among some in the league that owner David Tepper will go offense. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson returning to Detroit was an interesting move because the Panthers were excited to speak to him. He appeared to have some traction there. But there’s plenty of time for a candidate to sway Panthers brass, too. Wilks has a strong offensive plan in place should he get the job.”
Graziano went on to add that he’s hearing the same sentiment on the Panthers’ job, stating the team is “leaning toward one of the younger offensive guys.”
With Johnson out of consideration, the “younger offensive guys” include Buffalo’s Ken Dorsey, Dallas’ Kellen Moore, New York’s Mike Kafka and Philadelphia’s Shane Steichen. Carolina also has interviewed former head coaches Jim Caldwell and Frank Reich—both of whom are also offensive-minded.
Additionally, Tepper is set to meet with former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton in Manhattan on Friday.
