4 unknown quantities remaining after Carolina Panthers 2022 season
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers head coaching plans
One of the biggest unknowns remaining for the Carolina Panthers centers on David Tepper and the head coaching position. Firing Matt Rhule was almost a necessity after such a dismal start, but whether Steve Wilks has convinced the billionaire he’s the man for the job in 2023 is the question nobody knows the answer to right now.
Tepper’s rash decision-making since purchasing the Panthers from Jerry Richardson means anything is possible. Taking a call from Jim Harbaugh won’t come to anything more according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, but it’s hard to put into words just how franchise-altering his next move is.
Wilks has the support of his players and large sections of the team’s fanbase. He also boasts the previous head coaching experience Tepper’s reportedly looking for – albeit briefly with the Arizona Cardinals before he was harshly shown the door.
This picture should become clearer before anything else. Carolina will be finalizing its shortlist of candidates before the formal interview process is permitted to begin, so expect things to heat up quickly en route to a formal appointment.
Nobody can say for sure how Tepper’s going to approach this key matter. However, it would be wise not to ignore Wilks’ exceptional work this season and the owner must also lean on true football minds such as Scott Fitterer and Dan Morgan before something becomes official.