Would Thomas Brown like to stick around in Charlotte beyond 2023? Well, if you ask him, he’s not even looking beyond Sunday.
The Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator spoke with reporters this morning, just a few days ahead of the team’s Week 17 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. With just two games remaining in the campaign, Brown was asked about his future—specifically if he’d like to be considered for the organization’s head-coaching gig.
“I mean, I’m worried about Thursday,” he replied to ESPN’s David Newton with a smile. “So, we just had a great meeting about third downs. I just got done kinda scriptin’ red zone for tomorrow as well, so that’s gonna be my focus. And tryin’ to get a win on Sunday.”
It may have taken the Panthers 16 weeks, but Brown staged a breakout for quarterback Bryce Young and the offense this past Sunday. The Christmas Eve loss to the Green Bay Packers saw Carolina notch a season-high 394 total yards and 30 points with Young hitting the 300-yard passing mark for the first time in his NFL career.
But in terms of building a résumé for the head-coaching vacancy, Brown’s trademark game may have come a tad too late. The unit’s year-long struggles, which ultimately got former head coach Frank Reich ousted after just 11 games, are a taste owner David Tepper will likely look to fully wash out.
Brown, instead, answered a question about the trademark he hopes to leave behind from this season.
“I try to take great pride in what I bring to the table every single day as far as my attitude and approach,” he said. “I’ve gotten similar questions before in the past about what the future may bring. And it probably seems redundant in in a coach’s response—but honestly, if you ask people that actually know me, I just really . . . one day at a time, bein’ consistent. And honestly, I think what you do in the present helps kinda dictate and kinda put you in a good spot from a future standpoint.”
