Mr. Scot

Did a little bit of looking (not too deep) into prior connections for both Reich and Caldwell. Honestly didn't find too much. Only name that stuck out (who wasn't already employed elsewhere or retired) was Wade Harman, a tight end coach Caldwell had worked with in Baltimore. He hasn't coached in a year or two though so...

One other good thing: according to the behind the scenes stories we've read since Rhule was fired, Tepper was at least beginning to get the idea that Rhule was a mistake after just the first season. He held off on firing him until later, but at least he had a clue.

Reasonable

I'd be willing to bet some of his teammates would. (not really something I'd like hearing as a coach or personnel guy either)

You don't believe a guy who's missed ten games over the past seasons would (or should) have any trouble getting a fully guaranteed contract? Dude, you are way off the rails on this one.

Jefferson is another guy who's carried the "Assistant Head Coach" title before (more than once).

Longtime NFL writer Jeff Howe would be one of the people making that argument.

This is also cool...

I could see a linebacker group of Chinn and Thompson on the inside, Burns and Luvu on the edges. That's assuming Thompson stays of course, which is by no means a given.

Jacoby Brissett is a definite possibility. And as much as folks won't like it, so is Sam Darnold.

Started a new thread for the final spots remaining

Current Current Staff (Link) ___________________________________________ Assistant Head Coach: Duce Staley Senior Assistant: Jim Caldwell Offensive Coordinator: Thomas Brown Quarterback Coach: Josh McCown Passing Game Coordinator: Parks Frazier Runningbacks Coach: Duce Staley Wide Receivers Coach: Shawn Jefferson Tight Ends Coach: John Lilly Offensive Line Coach: James Campen Assistant Offensive Line Coach: Robert Kugler Defensive Coordinator: Ejiro Evero Senior Defensive Assistant: Dom Capers Defensive Line Coach: Todd Wash Linebackers Coach: Peter Hansen Outside Linebackers Coach: Tem Lukabu Safeties Coach: Bert Watts Cornerbacks Coach: Jonathan Cooley Assistant Defensive Backs Coach: DeAngelo Hall Special Teams Coordinator: Chris Tabor Assistant Special Teams Coach: Devin Fitzsimmons Strength and Conditioning Coach: TBD ___________________________________________ Waiting to be filled: Strength and Conditioning Coach Plus any additional assistants the team may want (S&C coaches frequently have at least one assistant). Previous RB Coach Jeff Nixon could potentially fill one of the offensive spots. He's coached both receivers and tight ends in his career. Former Panther Ricky Proehl could work either as a wide receiver coach or a strength and conditioning coach (a la his Proehlific Park stint) but right now he's the head coach of the XFL's Saint Louis Battlehawks where his son is a player so I wouldn't expect it. Reich's old teammate Don Beebe has been in the performance business before as well, though Iast I saw he was the head football coach at a small university in Illinois. Unknown if he'd want to leave that gig for an NFL assistant job. Denver parted ways with a respected strength and conditioning coach in Loren Landow. No word if there's any interest in him here. Of course, the Panthers could also reunite with former S&C coach Joe "House" Kenn, but again I don't know if there's any discussion or possibility of that happening. Down to the wire now. It's been a good ride so far. Let's see who fills the last few spots

Also, for consideration...

Chinn could make a pretty good 3-4 ILB

Eric Edholm's comments on the Panthers as a landing spot for Carr... The Panthers made runs at some of the top available quarterbacks last offseason before settling on drafting Matt Corral in Round 3 and trading for Baker Mayfield in July. Neither worked out in the short term, as Corral suffered a season-ending injury, and Mayfield struggled before being cut and ending up with the Rams. Now they might be set to hit restart at the position again this offseason. New head coach Frank Reich certainly will have a say in which direction the team heads there, as could new QB coach Josh McCown, but neither of them, nor the other offensive coaches Reich has added to his staff, have strong connections to Carr. The Panthers also own the No. 9 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and could use that to select a new passer. They also could re-sign Sam Darnold, as an inexpensive free-agent option who played better for Carolina down the stretch, as well as move forward with Corral. Then again, the Panthers’ interest in Carr could also be tied to the fact that the division-rival Saints are clearly kicking his tires. The NFC South’s quarterback situation appears a bit lean now that Tom Brady's retired, leaving all four teams seemingly looking for help at the position. This is a young team with some foundational talent around which to build, and the Panthers could end up with six 2023 draft picks in the top 150 overall, thanks to the Christian McCaffrey trade. So while drafting a young quarterback can’t be dismissed at all, going the veteran route also has to be on the table.

John's a really good source for this kind of question.

This is gonna be the first offseason I've been really excited about for a while.

Newton said we might wait, typical of a free agency approach.

Oh, he's no grifter. Neither is he just a filter. He's not just there to evaluate guys but to help develop them, and with a resumé like his he'll command respect.

System fit matters, injuries affect level of play, and it's not like no player has ever gone into cruise control after getting paid (especially guaranteed pay). Yes, it's possible.

Vic Fangio style 3-4

I meant 3-4 (doh)

People are either gonna be proven right or look really dumb.

Would it shock anyone at this point? Fans too