Which primary head coaching candidates should the Carolina Panthers set their sights on in 2023 if they decide to part ways with Matt Rhule?
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that Matt Rhule is a man on the brink. The Carolina Panthers are freefalling once again under his leadership and another loss on home soil to the San Francisco 49ers left many wondering how much longer David Tepper will remain patient with the former Baylor man.
The stands were devoid of many home fans in Week 5, which is the saddest thing of all. A true reflection on the Tepper era and the supporters’ complete lack of faith in Rhule to get the Panthers trending in the right direction.
This cannot go on for much longer. Rhule looks completely out of his depth and the longer Carolina prolongs this agony, the graver things might become in the coming years.
With that in mind, here are eight primary head coaching targets the Panthers must consider in 2023 if Rhule is relieved of his responsibilities.
Primary Candidate No. 1
Carolina Panthers should target Shane Steichen
With the Philadelphia Eagles taking the NFL by storm right now, Shane Steichen has rapidly emerged into a prominent figure when it comes to head coaching vacancies next year. The offensive coordinator seems to be bringing the best out of quarterback Jalen Hurts and the immense weapons at his disposal, which is a far cry from what the Carolina Panthers are currently experiencing under Ben McAdoo.
If Matt Rhule is removed from his duties, then Steichen has the type of credentials that could intrigue team owner David Tepper. A progressive young offensive mind with proven credentials of scheming things exactly how they should be depending on the matchup.
Carolina Panthers should target Raheem Morris
If the Carolina Panthers want a little more know-how if Matt Rhule is let go at some stage, then there are a number of lively candidates with previous head coaching experience set to generate interest in 2023.
One such individual is Raheem Morris, who is highly regarded in league circles and was unfortunate not to get a top job once again after spearheading the Los Angeles Rams defense to a memorable Super Bowl triumph. Although things aren’t going nearly as well this season, the coach still commands instant respect and should be considered.
Morris wouldn’t be walking into this situation blind. He was a head coach previously with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and also held the interim role on the Atlanta Falcons without doing quite enough to be considered for the role long-term.
This would provide the Panthers with stability and a legitimate chance of progression. Morris is a defensive-minded coach – which isn’t in keeping with the current NFL trend – but that shouldn’t put off Carolina from bringing him in and discussing how he plans to transform the franchise.
The Panthers are unlikely to be alone coveting Morris in this scenario. Something that could throw a spanner in the works regarding potential targets with so much uncertainty across the organization.
Carolina Panthers should target DeMeco Ryans
The Carolina Panthers got a good example of what DeMeco Ryans could bring to the organization when the San Francisco 49ers and their No. 1 ranked defense came to town and piled more misery on head coach Matt Rhule in Week 5.
Ryans is another rising up the coaching ranks following a successful playing career spanning 10 seasons. The former linebacker attained two Pro Bowls and won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2006, which is something that players are known to naturally gravitate towards.
San Francisco has been cooking defensively so far in 2022. Ryans is the mastermind behind it all and it would be a huge shock if he wasn’t a head coach somewhere in 2023.
This is someone the Panthers should take a keen interest in if David Tepper ends his Rhule experiment after three seasons. Ryans is focused and driven, comes with proven NFL credentials, and is exactly what Carolina is desperate for after so much underachievement.
Again, the Panthers wouldn’t be the only team examining Ryans’ credentials. It’s a possibility he has his pick of a few organizations given the ever-building momentum, which might leave Carolina on the outside looking in depending on the contract Tepper would offer in this situation.
Tepper drew the ire of other owners when he handed Rhule a seven-year, $62 million deal. But that will not stop him from giving out big bucks once again to secure his desired target.
Carolina Panthers should target Sean Payton
David Tepper has been known to make a splash or two. While this hasn’t come with much to cheer on the field, this ambition could see one of the NFL’s richest owners look toward Sean Payton as a potential replacement for Matt Rhule in 2023.
The Carolina Panthers have been scorned by Payton in the past during his time as head coach of the New Orleans Saints. He decided to step away from the role and focus on a new TV gig, although the one-time Super Bowl winner hasn’t ruled out a return to coaching elsewhere if the right opportunity comes along.
Tepper has the money to make Payton an offer he cannot refuse. The Dallas Cowboys could also throw their hat into the ring despite a promising opening to the campaign under Mike McCarthy and there is also the not-so-small matter of potential compensation to consider in this situation.
Unfortunately for the Panthers, the Saints still have Payton under contract. Considering the two teams reside in the same division, this would require a significant amount of draft capital to get any deal over the line.
Payton’s brilliant offensive mind would be a welcome addition to the Panthers. This would also likely see the team have their fourth new quarterback in as many seasons.
Carolina Panthers should target Jerod Mayo
If the Carolina Panthers want to gamble a little on their next head coaching hire if Matt Rhule doesn’t get another year, then someone like Jerod Mayo should be discussed. After an outstanding playing career with the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick kept him around in a coaching capacity and he has thrived ever since.
Mayo is a leader of men that’s climbed the ladder at a rapid rate. The linebackers coach is already an influential member of New England’s staff and is trusted by Belichick, which will do his chances of becoming a head coach down the line a tremendous amount of good.
Whether this upcoming cycle is too soon for Mayo remains to be seen. There was some interest in 2022 without securing a formal offer, so it would be a shock if similar attention didn’t come his way next time around.
According to a recent report, David Tepper wants an experienced coach in the event Rhule cannot do enough to keep his job. Mayo has plenty of that from a playing capacity, but he is still relatively new to coaching circles and hasn’t held a prominent play-calling position as yet.
That might complicate matters. But all it would take is for Tepper to be convinced by Mayo if he was given an interview and this is a move that is likely to be a big hit within the locker room.
Carolina Panthers should target Byron Leftwich
One of the more shocking things that emerged from the head coaching carousel in 2022 was the fact Byron Leftwich wasn’t given an opportunity. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator looked like the favorite to take over at the Jacksonville Jaguars before negotiations stalled and every other destination also went in different directions.
Leftwich has worked incredibly well with legendary quarterback Tom Brady over the last two seasons. Something that brought the Bucs a memorable Super Bowl triumph and saw the play-caller’s reputation in coaching circles go through the roof.
This could tick all the boxes for David Tepper. Leftwich is brilliant at what he does and now has plenty of experience to ready himself for the next step when the time comes.
That will be sooner rather than later, one suspects. Just why Leftwich was overlooked last time around is anyone’s guess but if Tampa Bay goes deep into the postseason, then the Carolina Panthers and others around the league would be wise to seriously consider the former quarterback.
Bruce Arians and Brady’s glowing praise of Leftwich also holds significant weight. The lessons acquired from working with two established figures such as this will no doubt serve him well once a well-deserved promotion is secured.
Carolina Panthers should target Brian Flores
After a dramatic offseason for Brian Flores that saw him fired as Miami Dolphins head coach and subsequently file a class action lawsuit against the NFL, it was probably a relief to start focusing on football once again when offered a position within the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Much has been made about his departure from Miami and whether or not it was warranted. But it would be an absolute travesty if politics prevented Flores from getting another head coaching role.
Flores comes from the Bill Belichick coaching tree and adopts a no-nonsense approach. This doesn’t go down well with some primadonnas operating around the league these days, but it’s exactly what the Carolina Panthers are looking for given their current state.
Whipping this talented group into shape with a fresh set of ideas could be the perfect landing spot for Flores. An opportunity to silence any lingering doubts about his capabilities to successfully lead an NFL franchise.
This would also fit David Tepper’s reported intent to get an experienced figure into the building if he lets Matt Rhule go at long last. The billionaire could do far worse than look in Flores’ direction and this also gets him back in the league’s good graces after annoying fellow owners with the size of the contract allocated to a college coach with no proven credentials at the next level.
Carolina Panthers should target Eric Bieniemy
Just why Eric Bieniemy hasn’t been given a head coaching role yet is a mystery. The Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator has plenty of interviews under his belt, but something is putting teams off from taking the plunge when push comes to shove.
The Carolina Panthers identified Bieniemy as a person of interest before eventually rolling the dice with Matt Rhule. A gamble that has not paid off and is likely to leave David Tepper red-faced when it’s all said and done.
Bieniemy is still working his magic alongside offensive guru Andy Reid with the Chiefs. Despite trading star wide receiver Tyreek Hill during the offseason, this unit remains prolific and something that could finally convince another organization to pull the trigger.
If Rhule is gone and Baker Mayfield’s struggles continue, the Panthers will likely look to the NFL Draft in pursuit of a long-term solution under center. One could make a strong case that there would be no better mentor than Bieniemy, who’s had a substantial impact on Patrick Mahomes on his rise to superstardom.
Only time will tell, obviously. But considering how things are currently unfolding in Carolina, those in power would be wise to start coming up with potential candidates in the event Rhule cannot turn things around.