Panthers news: Brian Burns, Steve Wilks, Frankie Luvu and Cam Newton
By Dean Jones
Which Carolina Panthers news stories are hitting the headlines as the team's offseason plans continue to be formed behind the scenes?
We are in a mini-lull period around the NFL. The Super Bowl is in the rearview mirror. Teams are forming plans for their upcoming offseasons. The Carolina Panthers are no different, even if there might be an added sense of urgency to get this franchise out of the doldrums and back to some semblance of respectability.
While we wait for further developments, the stories causing discussion include Brian Burns' pending contract extension receiving a ringing endorsement, Steve Wilks getting scapegoated once again, Frankie Luvu being linked with an NFC East team in free agency, and Cam Newton opening up about that big moment in Super Bowl 50.
Let's delve into each topic in more detail.
Steve Wilks scapegoated
Someone had to take the fall for yet another San Francisco 49ers collapse in the Super Bowl. This wasn't going to be head coach Kyle Shanahan despite his obvious failings. The easy target was Steve Wilks, who was fired as defensive coordinator.
This is the second time in as many years that Wilks can feel hard done by. He led one of the league's most prolific defenses. He held Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs without a touchdown until late in the third quarter. This reeks of protecting the higher-ups such as Shanahan, who's blown double-digit leads in three Super Bowls - one as offensive coordinator and two as head coach.
What the future holds for Wilks is unclear. Doing this when there are no defensive coordinator vacancies open around the league is nasty work. But this isn't the first time the former Carolina Panthers interim head coach has had to overcome adversity. Hopefully, he'll come out on the other side fighting once again.