Are the Carolina Panthers really waiting for Sean Payton?

Could the Carolina Panthers be waiting to make Sean Payton their new head coach when the 2022 season comes to a conclusion?

With the NFL’s schedule release a few short hours away, one respected reporter came out with a potential bombshell regarding the Carolina Panthers reportedly targeting Sean Payton as their next head coach after the 2022 campaign.

According to Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, the Panthers are rumored to be looking at the former New Orleans Saints head coach as a man capable of leading the organization back to prominence and are willing to wait a year to make this ambitious dream a reality.

It’s worth remembering that Carolina would need to work out a deal with their NFC South rivals given that Payton is still under contract. A scenario that would be immensely difficult, to put it mildly.

Carolina Panthers could wait a year before moving for Sean Payton

However, McCarthy stated that the Panthers would be willing to do their utmost to secure Payton’s services if Matt Rhule fails to meet expectations during his third year at the helm.

"“The Carolina Panthers are eyeing the Super Bowl-winning coach as the savior who can lead them back to the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl, sources told Front Office Sports. The Panthers might be willing to wait a year while the former New Orleans Saints head coach recharges his batteries on TV.  Even if the Panthers want Payton, the question remains: Would Payton want the Panthers? The Saints would also have to be willing to trade Payton to their longtime NFC South rivals.”"

This story sparked a fast and furious response from the Panthers’ fanbase on social media. And a Panthers spokesperson told McCarthy that they would not be speaking about a coach currently under contract – which is the party line across the league in situations like this.

Payton currently has television contracts on the table from FOX Sports and Amazon, which is an avenue he’s looking to pursue after stepping away from the Saints. However, team owner David Tepper is a man that normally gets what he wants and if this is the path he chooses, the NFL’s richest owner could offer his target a contract that will completely shift the landscape.

This is fun to debate. But the chances of Payton becoming Carolina’s next head coach would be remote at best.

First, he would need to agree. And money isn’t everything to a man that’s earned plenty and been to the very top.

That’s without considering the compensation New Orleans would want from the Panthers – a first-round pick and probably more – to allow this to happen when Payton is still legally theirs as per his contract.

Tepper has made some bold moves since purchasing the Panthers from Jerry Richardson. But winning remains elusive and unless this changes next season, there is a high chance that Rhule will be seeking alternative employment.

It would take some convincing that’s for sure. And there’s just no telling what joining a divisional adversary would do to Payton’s relationship with the Saints’ fanbase – who worship and respect the man highly.

This will likely come to nothing.

But that does not detract from how much is on the line for Rhule when competitive action gets underway later this year.