NFL insider hints at who the Panthers' next head coach could be

It has been a busy stretch for the Carolina Panthers as the franchise looks to fill its head coaching vacancy and general manager position.  The Panthers have recently interviewed many candidates for the head coach position, however, Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan appears to be a cut above the rest.  Though Detroit Lions offensive coordinator […]

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Jan 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Image via Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

It has been a busy stretch for the Carolina Panthers as the franchise looks to fill its head coaching vacancy and general manager position. 

The Panthers have recently interviewed many candidates for the head coach position, however, Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan appears to be a cut above the rest. 

Though Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has long been considered the leading candidate for the head coaching job in Carolina, but one ESPN NFL insider believes Callahan may be in the driver's seat.   

"My prediction for the next Panthers coach: Callahan," writes Dan Graziano, senior NFL insider for ESPN. "Callahan hasn't been the playcaller in Cincinnati, but he has a lot of responsibility in the offense and has been instrumental in the Bengals' success in recent years. And he has the experience that Tepper could be looking for this offseason. The work Callahan did with Jake Browning this season after Burrow's season-ending right wrist injury has caught teams' attention."

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14), left, talks with Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan during Cincinnati Bengals training camp practice, Wednesday, July 31, 2019, at the practice fields next to Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. Cincinnati Bengals Training Camp July 31
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14), left, talks with Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan during Cincinnati Bengals training camp practice, Wednesday, July 31, 2019, at the practice fields next to Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. Cincinnati Bengals Training Camp July 31Image via Kareem Elgazzar / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Panthers are set to interview with Callahan on Thursday. 

He is one of several known candidates that include the following: Ravens OC Todd Monken, Buccaneers OC Dave Canales, Callahan, Johnson, Rams DC Raheem Morris, Cowboys DC Dan Quinn, Texans OC Bobby Slowik, Dolphins OC Frank Smith, Panthers interim coach Chris Tabor and Panthers DC Ejiro Evero.

The Panthers are searching for an offensive head coach who could help mentor quarterback Bryce Young. 

Young slogged through an awful rookie season under former head coach Frank Reich. 

Callahan has drawn praise for his work with Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, making his experience developing young quarterbacks a feather in his cap when it comes to his prospects of landing a job with Carolina. 

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