4 offensive coordinator candidates if Panthers keep Steve Wilks in 2023
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers could target Pep Hamilton
The Carolina Panthers examined the possibility of bringing Pep Hamilton into the fold last spring. However, the coach opted not to associate himself with Matt Rhule and took the offensive coordinator position at the Houston Texans instead.
Although this was a damning indictment of Rhule’s status within the NFL, things haven’t exactly been a bed of roses in Houston. There is a distinct lack of talent across the board and it appears as if their Davis Mills experiment under center has already drawn to a close.
What this means for Lovie Smith and other staff remains to be seen. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see big changes with the No. 1 overall selection within reach, which could indicate Hamilton would also be surplus to requirements under a new regime.
If Steve Wilks came calling for Hamilton – who remains a respected play-caller that’s done okay under challenging circumstances – then he’d probably be more receptive. It’s also worth remembering that he hails from Charlotte, so a return home has obvious benefits.
What Hamilton does better than most is bring the best out of quarterbacks. Mills might be a lost cause now with the Texans floundering, but he did get a tune out of the former Stanford star earlier in the campaign which cannot be ignored.