5 potential replacements if Panthers cut ties with Matt Rhule in-season
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers could target Brian Flores
One of the most shocking off-season events occurred surrounding Brian Flores. His removal as head coach of the Miami Dolphins and subsequent class-action lawsuit against the NFL was another damning indictment of the entire process and left him on the outside looking in regarding an immediate opportunity elsewhere.
Mike Tomlin knows football. So it didn’t take long for the Pittsburgh Steelers to swoop and appoint Flores to their staff as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach.
If the Carolina Panthers were looking for a fresh set of ideas in the not-too-distant future, then bringing in Flores for a chat at some stage could be worth its weight in gold. David Tepper must be wary about league rules regarding interviews and potential tampering, which could reflect badly on the franchise if not handled correctly.
It’s unlikely Tomlin would stand in Flores’ way regardless of the timing. Maybe releasing him from his responsibilities could open the door for Tepper and the Panthers, but who knows what the billionaire is thinking at this point.
Flores deserves another opportunity. But he’d likely want a long-term commitment at a time when the Panthers would need to widen the net significantly.