The Carolina Panthers thought Frank Reich would be a good fit for Bryce Young, the team’s No. 1 overall pick from last year’s draft.
That combination went about as poorly as possible, with Reich fired just 11 games into his tenure with Carolina.
But according to ESPN, Panthers owner David Tepper will look for another “offensive-minded head coach” in an effort to assist Young, who has gotten off to a rough start to his NFL career.
Young’s start has looked even worse given the success of C.J. Stroud, who was taken by the Houston Texans with the second pick.
Interim head coach Chris Tabor will finish this season.
Given Tepper’s desire for another offensive coach, one person reportedly linked to the opening is Ben Johnson, the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator who has helped another former top overall pick, Jared Goff, revive his career.
He was in the mix for the Panthers’ head job last year before taking himself out of the mix.
Another potential hire is Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, who has kept the Eagles’ offense going in his first year in the spot.
Former Panthers’ tight end Greg Olsen — currently on the top broadcast team for Fox — acknowledged last week on The Rich Eisen Show that he’d be interested in pursuing the job, despite his lack of coaching experience.
There are other uncertainties ahead for Carolina, according to ESPN, as Adam Schefter reported that Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer has not received “any assurances that he will be retained,” but Schefter added, “Carolina has intimated to some around the NFL that it would like to keep Fitterer.”
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