Unless Steve Wilks can stake his claim to the job, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper may have a type.
Last week, NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero gave us their early feeling on Carolina’s head-coaching search—stating that the organization is expected to “interview all of the rising offensive gurus.” Now, on Saturday, MMQB senior editor Albert Breer reported that Tepper and company have already begun work on that angle.
But, Wilks will still get his chance to make even more of an impression—extending into Sunday’s season finale against the New Orleans Saints.
“Interim coach Steve Wilks has done an admirable job, keeping his team in the playoff mix until Week 17, and owner David Tepper is conscious of the climate in his building—the locker room is solidly behind Wilks, who has enabled a reworked coaching staff to build a hard-edged identity behind a punishing run game over the second half of the year,” Breer writes. “If Wilks stays, it’d have to be with a detailed plan for the offense. The Panthers, after firing Matt Rhule, spent a good amount of time researching young offensive coaches, an indication on where Tepper was leaning with his search. Wilks could bring in someone such as Philadelphia QBs coach Brian Johnson—if he gets the job. I know Carolina people believe a good showing Sunday at New Orleans could well impact Wilks getting that shot.”
Wilks, who had the Panthers playing their most inspiring ball in years, has already won over his players and the fans. So uninstalling him would be a tricky task for Tepper.
Nonetheless, the billionaire owner is making sure no stone goes unturned—especially after that last kitchen fire with the former short-order cook.
