Coaching Candidates to Watch in the NFL Playoffs
The Panthers may not be playing meaningful football in January, but the team employing their future coach might be. Here are a couple of units to watch to get a better idea of what a potential coach may bring to Carolina.
Ben Johnson (Detroit Lions Offense)
David Tepper’s infatuation with Ben Johnson has been well-covered. Johnson, a Carolina native, has spearheaded the turnaround of the Detroit Lions’s offense and the revitalization of Jared Goff’s career. Detroit sits at third in the league in total offensive yards and fifth in scoring.
Johnson’s offense combines a potent rushing attack (Detroit’s 2,241 rushing yards are good for fourth in the NFL), with an explosive passing game (4,090, third in the NFL). David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs’ is a two-headed monster in the backfield that pounds away at opposing defensive lines to open up passing lanes for Amon-Ra St. Brown to decimate opposing secondaries.
The Lions are fundamentally sound, but they’re quick to spring a trick play when defenses least expect it. Johnson’s scheme is very balanced, and also very fun to watch as a neutral observer.
Frank Smith (Miami Dophins Offense)
Much like the Lions, the Dolphins offense can beat you in a multitude of ways. Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane are the engines of the league’s fifth ranked rushing offense, and the trio of Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle lead the NFL’s most potent passing attack.
Mike McDaniel gets the brunt of the credit for Miami’s devastating offense, but Frank Smith deserves some credit for the operation as well. Smith has history as a run game coordinator, and the beauty of Miami’s running game is noticeable to even an untrained mind like mine. The decision-makers in Carolina are desperate for a high-flying offense, and both Smith and Johnson can bring that to Charlotte.
Dave Canales (Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offense)
The 2023 Baker Mayfield renaissance has been an underrated storyline in this NFL season that has been full of them. The former Panthers' quarterback has set career highs in completions, yards, and touchdowns in Canales' offense.
The first-year offensive coordinator has a history in quarterback reclamation projects. Canales was the quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator in Seattle before moving to Tampa Bay. In 2022, Geno Smith had the best season of his career under Canales' tutelage, earning the Comeback Player of the Year award and his first Pro Bowl appearance.
Bobby Slowik (Houston Texans Offense)
Slowik and the Texans have been a revelation in 2023. The Texans offensive coordinator is a part of the Shanahan coaching tree, arguably the most successful one in league history. Offensive-minded head coaches across the league have served under Shanahan. Sean McVay, Mike McDaniel, Matt LaFleur, among others, all run Shanahan's system that involves a varied rushing attack mixed with a downfield passing game that keeps defenses on their toes.
Panthers fans are acutely aware of CJ Stroud's 2023 successes, and Slowik's offense mind play a part in Stroud's record setting rookie year.
Todd Monken (Baltimore Ravens Offense)
Lamar Jackson is the 2023 MVP favorite. Monken hand-crafted an offense that both brought out the best in Jackson's arm and legs.
Before moving to Baltimore last offseason, Monken was the offensive coordinator at the University of Georgia, leading the explosive Bulldogs offense to back-to-back national championships.
And even before that, Monken was Jameis Winston's offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay when Winston saw the most success in his career.
Every offense Monken touches turns to gold and has even turned the Ravens, who are traditionally known for their defensive prowess, into an offensive juggernaut.
Raheem Morris (Los Angeles Rams Defense)
On paper, the Rams defense was nothing special. The unit ranked 22nd in DVOA and 19th in points allowed per game.
However, no unit in the NFL had more rookies play snaps than the Rams defense. Raheem Morris was the architect of that defense that punched well above their weight. The chess match brewing between Morris and Ben Johnson on Sunday night will be a fascinating one to watch for Panthers' fans scouting their potential next head coach.
Mike MacDonald (Baltimore Ravens Defense)
There are two things in this world you can bank on. The sun rising in the mornings, and the Baltimore Ravens having an elite defense. Former Ravens coordinator Wink Martindale took his talents to the New York Giants in 2022, and people thought the Ravens defense would take a step back. Enter Mike MacDonald.
Baltimore’s sports the best defense in the league according to advanced stats like DVOA, and traditional counting stats like points allowed. It’s hard to not be impressed by the job MacDonald’s done not only keeping the status quo in Baltimore, but actually raising the bar.
Dan Quinn (Dallas Cowboys Defense)
Quinn would by no means be the sexiest coaching hire, but for a team that needs some stability, he’s a name that people should familiarize themselves with.
The defensive turnaound Dallas has made under Quinn is palpable. The Cowboys have been the best defense in the league according to EPA/play since Quinn started coordinating the defense in 2021. They ranked 23rd in 2020.
