ESPN Analyst Predicts the Panthers' Next Head Coach

The Carolina Panthers have interviewed five candidates for the head coaching vacancy thus far but that list will increase tomorrow when Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan gets his chance to make his pitch for the job.

Although Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik are big shot names this cycle, Callahan has a pretty impressive resume himself.

According to Dan Graziano of ESPN, Callahan seems like the ideal candidate for Carolina.

"Industry insiders are finding this a tough one to call, since there's skepticism about the willingness of candidates to work for impatient team owner David Tepper. I expect this hire to be an offensive-minded coach whose task will be getting the most out of 2023 top-pick quarterback Bryce Young, who struggled in Year 1 with a 33.4 QBR (29th in the NFL). It has been thought for a while that Johnson is Carolina's top choice, but he could have better offers.

"Slowik is a hot name with several interviews lined up, but he has also been a coordinator for only one year, and some teams may prefer more experience. Callahan hasn't been the playcaller in Cincinnati, but he has a lot of responsibility in the offense and has been instrumental in the Bengals' success in recent years. And he has the experience that Tepper could be looking for this offseason. The work Callahan did with Jake Browning this season after Burrow's season-ending right wrist injury has caught teams' attention.

"The Panthers are also looking for a new GM after firing Scott Fitterer, but it sounds like they want to get the coach in place first."

Callahan did do an admirable job with Jake Browning who won four of his seven starts and threw for 1,936 yards and 12 touchdowns to seven interceptions. But going back to last season, Callahan's offense ranked 7th in total yards per game (257.9) and 7th in points per game (25.7).

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