Are the Carolina Panthers’ chances of landing Bill O’Brien improving?

Could the Carolina Panthers’ chances of landing Bill O’Brien as a replacement for offensive coordinator Joe Brady be improving?

The Carolina Panthers are casting their net far and wide in pursuit of finding the right candidate to become their new offensive coordinator. Joe Brady’s firing midway through the bye week seemed like a sacrifice Matt Rhule had to make in order to save his own skin, something that brought little in the way of improvements once Jeff Nixon assumed play-calling duties down the stretch.

A number of potential options have already been interviewed. Although Pep Hamilton – who was expected to be a leading candidate – turned down the chance of meeting with Rhule according to a recent report from Pro Football Talk.

Another name that’s been linked with the Panthers is Bill O’Brien, who regained his reputation as offensive coordinator of the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2021 after a disastrous final two seasons as head coach and general manager with the Houston Texans before he was removed from his duties.

O’Brien got some head coaching interest from the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason. But according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, he is unlikely to get the job.

Carolina Panthers might make a move for Bill O’Brien

This could be music to Carolina’s ears. Although O’Brien has yet to be offered or formally accept an interview, this news might see the Panthers reach out and make their move in the coming days.

O’Brien and Rhule have a close relationship. However, this would be a major gamble for anyone taking the job considering the current state of the franchise.

This is obviously a fluid situation. But with the free agency period fast approaching and draft evaluations already underway, it would be prudent for the Panthers to get someone in at the earliest possible opportunity.

Whether this job is something that interests O’Brien is unclear. It might when one considers it could become an interim head coaching role if Rhule cannot turn things around in Year 3.

This might sound like a brutal way of looking at things.

But it will no doubt enter O’Brien’s thoughts.

It’s absolutely essential the Panthers get this one right. Things are hanging in the balance after yet another five-win campaign and even though David Tepper has given the former Baylor man a reprieve, he’ll probably be on his final warning after progress was significantly derailed in 2021.

O’Brien would easily be the highest-profile candidate from those interviewed so far. And it’s easy to forget what a good coach he is considering the mess he made of personnel decisions as Texans general manager.

Getting someone with NFL experience is the clear path Rhule is going down after Brady’s college background blew up in his face. He is also far more comfortable reuniting with familiar faces, which makes O’Brien a realistic option providing there is a mutual interest.

Time will tell as to whether O’Brien and the Panthers come to some sort of arrangement. But the latest development regarding his reported failed interview with the Jaguars only enhances Carolina’s cause if they opted to go in this particular direction.