Brian Flores firing should change Carolina Panthers thought process

Brian Flores’ shock firing as Miami Dolphins head coach should instantly change the Carolina Panthers thought process this offseason.

Black Monday began with a vengeance. Perhaps one shocking move should make the Carolina Panthers think twice about sticking with head coach Matt Rhule for a third season.

In a bombshell move early in the day, the Miami Dolphins fired Brian Flores despite the organization making some noticeable strides under the coach since he assumed command of responsibilities. Although the Panthers are reportedly planning to keep Rhule for what’s going to be a critical Year 3 at the helm, this latest turn of events should make them sit up and take notice.

Flores is exactly what the Panthers are looking for in a coach. And it would be a huge surprise if he didn’t get serious consideration for another head coaching job at the earliest possible opportunity.

Leading a team that underwent some significant turmoil before his arrival to 10-6 and 9-8 records over the last two years can be considered a tremendous achievement. But those in power on the Dolphins felt like a fresh approach was needed for some reason.

There appears little doubt Flores will be a hot commodity. A supreme strategist and a straight shooter who got the best out of a Miami roster that was crying for a strong leadership presence to steer them in the right direction.

Just what reasons are behind Flores being removed from the role have yet to be revealed. Perhaps the Dolphins are looking for a complete shift that also includes moving on from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the process.

David Tepper has been patient – sometimes stubborn – when it comes to finding the right men. He kept Marty Hurney on as general manager one year too long and even though the Panthers have shown almost no signs of progression in 2021, admitting a mistake is something the billionaire clearly has some trouble with.

The players are saying all the right things about Rhule, even when Black Monday carnage was transpiring with Flores, across the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears, the likes of Donte Jackson and Sam Darnold were churned out in front of the media to praise their head coach.

Tepper wants a contender. His plans at Rock Hill are progressing despite the obvious COVID-19 challenges, but at the end of the day, Carolina won’t ever be considered a top-flight organization unless the product on the field matches what’s transpiring away from the gridiron.

Players are not foolish. Neither are the fans who’ve been forced to swallow a mediocre-at-best team since Tepper took charge.

It might be time to get serious. Coaches like Flores don’t become available too often, after all.

Whether this development is enough to change Tepper’s train of thought is debatable. But it probably should if he wants to win. Flores won’t be out of work for long. And the Dolphins could regret this decision when it’s all said and done.

As for the Panthers, it promises to be an eventful offseason. One that could propel the franchise or set it back years.

And make no mistake, the margin for error is now non-existent for Rhule.