Panthers ‘Briefly Discussed’ Belichick a Year Ago

Carolina thought about going after Bill Belichick last offseason.

In a newly published ESPN article detailing the search of a new job for Bill Belichick, Don Van Natta Jr., Seth Wickersham and Jeremy Fowler reported that prior to hiring Frank Reich last winter, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper and the front office thought about making a big-time splash.

“The Carolina Panthers briefly discussed Belichick, before he signed his two-year extension with New England a year ago. But this offseason, Carolina decided to pass, a source said. Panthers owner David Tepper often sifts through data to critique his coach's playcalling. That, according to a source, "is tough to do with Belichick as the figurehead." The Panthers opted for 42-year-old former Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Dave Canales.”

I think I can speak for just about everyone in saying that hiring Belichick would not have panned out and would have cost Carolina even more money in a buyout scenario. There would have been a major power struggle between Tepper and Belichick which could have made the situation much more dramatic and detrimental to the development of Bryce Young more than it was under Reich.