There was no doubt many Carolina Panthers players were in strong support of Steve Wilks. But is there doubt about the move their higher-ups just made?
According to Pro Football Network NFL director Adam Beasley, there may very well be.
In a new report from Thursday, Beasley notes that there are some players who believe owner David Tepper and his braintrust made the wrong decision in not hiring Wilks as their permanent head coach.
“Put simply, there are players who privately think that David Tepper hired the wrong candidate,” he writes. “There’s a faction within the building that was rooting for interim coach Steve Wilks to get the job, and they were disappointed he did not.”
Numerous Panthers—including linebacker Shaq Thompson, defensive tackle Derrick Brown and center Bradley Bozeman—gave public endorsements for their interim head coach. Even former Panthers such as Thomas Davis, Tre Boston, Kurt Coleman and Torrey Smith vouched for the beloved Charlotte native.
Nonetheless, Carolina went with Frank Reich—who must now win over a locker room that will have its third different leader in a one-year span.
