Subsequent steps for Panthers, Bryce Younger with Frank Reich firing

Carolina Panthers proprietor David Tepper fired head coach Frank Reich Monday morning, following their 17-10 street loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Carolina has the worst document within the NFL at 1-10, tied for its worst 11-game begin (2001, 2010).

Particular groups coach Chris Tabor has been appointed as interim head coach, whereas offensive coordinator Thomas Brown will assume playcalling duties with assist from senior assistant Jim Caldwell.

Reich was fired as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9 final season, his fourth main that group. He’s now the primary head coach because the 1970 merger to be fired in back-to-back seasons, based on ESPN Stats & Info analysis. Reich’s tenure as Panthers head coach is the second shortest within the NFL since 1970.

Final offseason, the Panthers traded their 2024 first-round decide with a view to transfer up within the 2023 draft and take Bryce Younger at No. 1. Per ESPN Stats & Data, Reich joins City Meyer (Jaguars, 2021) as the one different head coach within the frequent draft period (since 1967) to not end their first season with a group after drafting a quarterback No. 1 total (Meyer coached 13 video games with Trevor Lawrence).

That is the second straight season that Tepper has fired his head coach, as he let Matt Rhule go after a 1-4 begin final season, making the Panthers the fourth group to make a midseason change in back-to-back seasons (1961-62 Raiders, 1975-76 Jets,1985-86 Payments), based on Elias.

The Panthers have not made the playoffs since 2017, and their 30-63 document since then is second worst to solely the New York Jets.

Nothing has gone proper this season, because the Panthers are the one group to rank within the backside 5 in factors per sport on offense and factors per sport allowed on protection, whereas their offensive and defensive effectivity every rank thirtieth. And since 2000, Jimmy Clausen (Panthers, 2010) is the one NFL quarterback who has averaged fewer yards per dropback than Younger (4.2) has this season.

What’s subsequent for the Panthers as they attempt to flip issues round once more? ESPN reporters David Newton and Jeremy Fowler break it down:

Why hearth Reich now?

Easy: Reich was employed due to his profitable historical past of constructing offenses and growing quarterbacks, however the Panthers’ offense and the event of Younger as their franchise quarterback have been going nowhere. The offense ranks thirtieth within the NFL and is coming off a second straight sport of scoring 10 factors after Reich resumed playcalling duties from offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, who had the position for 3 video games. The Panthers have gone 5 straight video games scoring 15 or fewer factors.

Younger wasn’t getting higher. If something, he was getting worse. His Complete QBR has ranked close to the underside of the league all season (presently twenty ninth). There was no have to proceed the charade that issues would flip round, as a result of there was no proof it will. That Reich persistently stated after losses that he had the gamers to win did not assist, and neither did the very fact the offensive unit he labored in live performance with basic supervisor Scott Fitterer to construct round Younger has failed miserably. There merely was no motive to proceed on this path. — Newton

Why did the Reich/Younger relationship fail to launch?

It wasn’t a lot the connection that failed — it was the failure to construct a group round Younger that would succeed.

Reich and basic supervisor Scott Fitterer moved ahead with an offensive line that in 2022 was profitable the second half of the season when Carolina turned to an influence working sport, however was horrid the primary half of the season when Rhule and his employees tried to run a diffusion offense.

Reich’s unfold offense sometimes options 4 to 5 receivers, which left Younger weak behind a bunch that could not shield him. He has been sacked 40 occasions, tied for fifth most by a participant by means of his first 10 video games since sacks have been first tracked in 1963. He was pressured an NFL-high 14 occasions Sunday. Then there was the dearth of receiving weapons round Younger. Exterior of broad receiver veteran Adam Thielen, no person Reich introduced in produced persistently.

Finally, Reich failed Younger. — Newton

Who’s interim head coach Chris Tabor?

Carolina’s particular groups coach is among the few holdovers from Rhule’s employees. His power is coping with folks and messaging, so from that standpoint, he’s excellent to function the interim coach. Plus, there’s little likelihood Tepper will likely be confronted with the choice of whether or not to make Tabor the everlasting coach after the season, in contrast to final season with Steve Wilks, who nearly led the Panthers to the playoffs with a 6-6 end. Tepper took a variety of warmth for not giving Wilks the job.

Tabor has been a head coach solely as soon as, in 2001 for Culver-Stockton School in Missouri. He was an interim coach within the NFL briefly for the Chicago Bears in 2021 after head coach Matt Nagy examined constructive for COVID. His historical past within the NFL has been on particular groups, notably for the Bears. Once more, he isn’t anticipated to be part of the search course of for the following coach. — Newton

What’s going to Jim Caldwell’s affect be as particular adviser on offense?

Caldwell, 68, will assist give Brown, the offensive coordinator, steering as he resumes playcalling duties once more. Caldwell has an extended historical past of offensive success as an NFL head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Brown is a former NFL working again who additionally coached the place. So search for Caldwell to offer perception within the passing sport and assist develop Younger as he did with Peyton Manning throughout his time with the Indianapolis Colts. This feels prefer it’s extra about serving to Younger than something. — Newton

Might GM Scott Fitterer or others be in peril?

I do not get the sense that anybody in Carolina feels overly protected proper now. Collateral harm could possibly be an element amid huge change that has billowed over the franchise the previous 14 months, courting again to the Rhule firing. However Fitterer has maintained a very good relationship with Tepper since his 2021 hiring, so maybe that absolves him right here.

The choices to draft Younger and rent Reich do not fall solely on Fitterer — Panthers brass was unanimous on each choices.

Fitterer is properly favored and works properly with others. Clearly, although, the Panthers have missed usually previously three drafts. Franchise pillars are scarce and so is high quality depth. The offensive line, which incorporates former No. 6 total decide Ikem Ekwonu, has regressed. And with no first-round decide in 2024, Tepper wants a personnel head to do extra with much less in April. Possibly that is Fitterer. However the stress is on, regardless. — Fowler

What are the offseason prospects to enhance expertise?

The Panthers ought to look to amass extra draft capital. Offseason contract negotiations with linebacker Brian Burns have been rocky, so a sign-and-trade situation off the franchise tag might assist the rebuild (Carolina may not get the 2 first-rounders and extra just like the Rams supplied final yr, however Burns stays a coveted expertise). In an ideal world, the Panthers want to hold Burns and pair him with a top-shelf bookend pass-rusher (Carolina regarded into Washington’s Montez Sweat and Chase Younger on the commerce deadline, for instance).

Including a vertical menace on offense is a should. Free agent receiver Tee Higgins needs to be atop the precedence checklist. He’d be an ideal complement to Younger. And with an estimated $39 million in cap area subsequent yr, addressing wants reminiscent of receiver or pass-rusher in free company needs to be no downside.

Accidents have left Carolina skinny at offensive guard, a place with loads of affect gamers out there in 2024 free company. The NFL is constructed on parity, the place a sequence of sound roster strikes can elevate a group again into the playoff combine in a rush. However it is a group that has traded away too many picks and must preserve what it has, presumably including to it. — Fowler

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Might Frank Reich’s firing spark Bryce Younger?

Area Yates and Mike Clay analyze how Frank Reich’s firing might have an effect on Bryce Younger.

What is the temperature within the locker room?

Frustration over dropping is the principle factor. There by no means was the sense that Reich misplaced the locker room. Most gamers spoke extremely of Reich and his potential to stay constant even through the making an attempt occasions. Group leaders like Younger and Thielen persistently defended Reich, saying it was on the gamers to supply. — Newton

Who’re potential candidates Tepper might goal as the following head coach?

Carolina has high quality in-house candidates in defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and offensive coordinator Brown. But it surely would not be stunning if Tepper appears to be like externally for the second consecutive yr. Final offseason, Carolina had curiosity in Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who opted to remain in Detroit and will likely be excessive on groups’ want lists this cycle. Whereas Carolina may not be the highest job out there, there are solely 32 out there and cash talks. Additionally becoming the younger offensive wizard mould are Philadelphia’s Brian Johnson and Houston’s Bobby Slowik, each 36.

Dallas’ Dan Quinn and Baltimore’s Mike Macdonald needs to be scorching names on the defensive facet, with regular suspects reminiscent of Cincinnati’s Lou Anarumo and Detroit’s Aaron Glenn figuring to be again on the circuit.

However, actually, Carolina ought to prioritize management. Final yr was about getting an offensive man, and Rhule was the stylish collegiate identify 4 years in the past. You by no means know from the place the best candidate will emerge. Phrase is Shane Steichen didn’t impress in his Carolina interview final yr. Now, he is obtained the Colts at 6-5 with a backup quarterback. Success can come from wherever. — Fowler