Which head coach/general manager partnerships should the Carolina Panthers consider to take the franchise forward positively in 2024?
It's going to be an interesting offseason for the Carolina Panthers. Stability hasn't been the biggest positive trait under team owner David Tepper thanks to his constant meddling. Firing Frank Reich so soon into his head coaching tenure also means the billionaire must change his ways.
Tepper is too involved in the football operation. That's a notion receiving consensus agreement across the media and Carolina's disillusioned fanbase - many of whom are beyond caring about the organization after one of the worst campaigns in franchise history.
Whether humbling himself is something Tepper is capable of remains to be seen. If he had any sense, the hedge fund manager would adopt a more traditional method. This would leave current general manager Scott Fitterer on the outside looking in after a largely underwhelming stint with the Panthers.
With this in mind, we picked out four head coach/general manager partnerships the Panthers must consider for a more prosperous outlook in 2024 and beyond.
Carolina Panthers could keep things in-house
- Head Coach: Ejiro Evero
- General Manager: Dan Morgan
Continuity is not a term normally associated with the Carolina Panthers. The staff turnover alone under David Tepper dictates that. This is why his next hires must be knocked out of the park if he also decides to remove general manager Scott Fitterer from the equation.
Although a complete reset cannot be ruled out, the Panthers might decide to keep things in-house. This scenario would see Dan Morgan promoted to front-office leader and Ejiro Evero assuming the role of head coach.
Morgan is tied to Fitterer's suspect personnel choices, which complicates matters. Evero is a worthy candidate for the top job after masterminding an impressive defensive campaign in difficult circumstances. This would guarantee there's already a working relationship in place between two up-and-comers in their respective fields.
This isn't the splashiest move, so Tepper's probably not considering it. Even if he should.
Carolina Panthers could look to the Lions
Head Coach: Ben Johnson
General Manager: Ray Agnew
Ben Johnson is the hottest name on the head coaching cycle in 2024. He'd likely have gotten a top job last time around had he been willing. Instead, the respected offensive coordinator opted to remain with the Detroit Lions and strive for further growth personally and professionally under Dan Campbell.
Johnson has done nothing to harm his credentials this season. His route concepts are extraordinary. There is always a hint of creativity. His offense boasts the perfect balance between run and pass. He is maximizing every weapon at his disposal with supreme efficiency.
This is something unlikely to be going unnoticed by teams looking for a new head coach. The Carolina Panthers made a play for Johnson earlier this year before he turned down the interview. David Tepper has reportedly already begun making moves that might suggest another bold bid is in the immediate offing.
If the Panthers want Johnson to hit the ground running, then hiring Ray Agnew would be a good place to start. Detroit's assistant general manager is gaining a strong reputation behind the scenes. He's been instrumental in the process of turning the roster from also-rans into potential challengers. This was done by shrewd free-agent signings and some outstanding draft classes.
Getting Johnson and Agnew would be a home-run hit from the Panthers. However, this needs to come with guarantees from Tepper that he'd stay out of the way unless it was necessary.
Carolina Panthers could look to the Chiefs
- Head Coach: Eric Bieniemy
- General Manager: Mike Borgonzi
The Kansas City Chiefs have been the blueprint for NFL success in recent years. While things might be tailing off to a certain extent this season, they are the defending Super Bowl champions. A team that'll never be truly out of any game thanks to some outstanding weapons on both sides of the football.
One of the reasons Kansas City is struggling to meet expectations could be the departure of Eric Bieniemy. The influential figure left the Chiefs after hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy in favor of the Washington Commanders. Although things haven't gone entirely smoothly, his promotion to a top job has been a long time coming.
David Tepper could see Bieniemy's high demands and hard-nosed methods as exactly what the Carolina Panthers need to get back into contention. He'll weed out the weak quickly. He's a tough-love guy from the old school. After so much underachievement, this is the sort of head coach that would command instant respect.
To further sweeten the pot, convincing Mike Borgonzi to come into the building first would enable an already blossoming relationship to continue with Bieniemy. He's long been seen as the secret weapon behind Kansas City's roster-building triumphs. He's ready for a well-deserved promotion. The Panthers have a franchise quarterback in Bryce Young, so this spot could appeal providing he gets the chance to pick his head coach.
In that scenario, Bieniemy becomes a frontrunner.
Carolina Panthers could look to the 49ers
- Head Coach: Bobby Slowik
- General Manager: Adam Peters
The Carolina Panthers need to find the formula that enables this once-proud organization to pick itself off the canvas and not only progress but stabilize as a legitimate force to be feared around the league. This was David Tepper's big dream when he bought the franchise. A vision that quickly turned into a proverbial nightmare.
Looking at the well-run teams across the NFL landscape would be a humbling exercise for Tepper. But it might also see him make some good hires at long last.
Although they aren't together right now, our final head coach/general manager tandem has a history. Bobby Slowik was on the San Francisco 49ers coaching staff before joining DeMeco Ryans on the Houston Texans. During his first season as offensive coordinator, he's caught the eye in no uncertain terms.
Slowik's impressive schematics and ability to develop stud rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud have seen his stock soar. Many will point to his lack of genuine experience in positions of power, but those emanating from the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree are accumulating more success than most of late.
If the Panthers could convince Adam Peters to leave San Francisco for the general manager job if Scott Fitterer is let go, it's a win-win. This seems like a match made in heaven. Whether they'd take the plunge knowing Tepper will be watching their every move closely is the million-dollar question.