Report: Panthers high on around 5 head coach options

With a new general manager in Dan Morgan, the Carolina Panthers head coaching search is reaching a unique inflection point.  Morgan and team owner David Tepper are high on four to five head coaches, according to an ESPN report from Jeremy Fowler.  "I'm hearing the Panthers have four or five candidates they are really high […]

Add as preferred source on Google
Tennessee Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel reacts to a Titans penalty against the Seattle Seahawks during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. Vrabel was fired by owner Amy Adams Strunk Monday after having two losing seasons back-to-back.
Tennessee Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel reacts to a Titans penalty against the Seattle Seahawks during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. Vrabel was fired by owner Amy Adams Strunk Monday after having two losing seasons back-to-back. Image via Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

With a new general manager in Dan Morgan, the Carolina Panthers head coaching search is reaching a unique inflection point. 

Morgan and team owner David Tepper are high on four to five head coaches, according to an ESPN report from Jeremy Fowler

"I'm hearing the Panthers have four or five candidates they are really high on," Fowler wrote. The word is owner David Tepper is also intrigued by Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who is eligible to interview after this week. Evero — the in-house candidate — interviewed twice, and Carolina has long targeted Ben Johnson, though I haven't heard much momentum there at this point."

The Panthers interviewed several candidates during the week thus far. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales interviewed with Carolina in person. 

But throwing a wrench into hiring an offensive mind is the uncertainty of former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. 

Carolina is interviewing with Vrabel Thursday. He won't be an offensive mind, but he is a cut above most candidates the Panthers have brought in. 

If the Panthers are serious about winning, the only real option is being willing to pay whatever it takes to bring in Vrabel. He is a proven winner, and he would be an adult in the Panthers locker room – something the team hasn't had since Tepper took over. 

It also helps that Vrabel has an interesting connection to the Panthers' new-look general manager.