“Derek Carr will follow”: Struggling Panthers Hire Ex-Colts Coach While Flying Eagles Fire Coach Of The Year

Hold on a minute, we can explain the headline as complex as it might sound. The Colts fired HC Frank Reich in the middle of last season. The Panthers themselves have been looking for a new head coach since severing ties with Coach Ron Rivera. Well, what’s the best thing to do? The Panthers have hired Frank Reich as the organization’s new Head Coach. 

The struggling Panthers have made a big move to turn around their season. They are hiring former Colts head coach Frank Reich. Reich led the Colts to the playoffs in 2018 and 2019 but was fired after a disappointing 2022 season. The Panthers finished the season amongst the bottom third of teams. They hope that Reich can bring some of the success he had in Indianapolis to Carolina.

Frank Reich is ready to make a difference

Reich’s hiring comes as a surprise to many, as the Panthers had previously been rumored to be interested in other candidates such as former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett and current college coaches such as Lincoln Riley of Oklahoma. However, Panthers owner David Tepper stated that Reich’s experience and leadership abilities were the main factors in his decision to hire him as per ESPN.

Coincidentally, Reich was also the first-ever QB for the Panthers way back in 1995. He holds the record for the first TD in Panthers’ history.

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In a full circle moment, the Panthers have definitely hired a man who knows his way with the organization. Reich will have his work cut out for him, but he is a proven coach with a history of success, and the Panthers are hoping he can bring that success to the team.

Derek Carr to the Panthers? 

Many fans have speculated the start of a big offseason for the Panthers. Following Reich’s hiring, some fans floated rumors of Raiders franchise QB Derek Carr to the Panthers. 

Carr has been in a difficult spot with the Raiders as they look to go all in on a rebuild to bolster a new era of players. The disgruntled QB is looking to find a new home, and the Panthers have been near the top of these rumors. Now, with Reich’s hiring, they will turn their eyes to the QB room. Primarily since Reich has himself been known to be a good QB coach.

Doug Pederson headlines Coach of the Year ballots

In the AFC South, Jaguars HC Doug Pederson has been named the AP AFC Coach of the year, and a finalist for the AP NFL Coach of the year award. Pederson was fired by the Eagles back in 2020 after a string of disappointments. But Pederson had an outstanding season in his first year with the Jaguars. Pederson’s leadership turned out to be crucial in leading them to the top of the AFC South and a divisional round appearance.

Alongside star QB Trevor Lawrence, Pederson, and the Jaguars have a potent lineup brewing in Jacksonville. They will look to have an even stronger showing next season, with the expectations set high. The Eagles, though, definitely do not regret firing Pederson. They stand just a win away from reaching the Super Bowl. Having unlocked their offense with Jalen Hurts under HC Nick Sirianni and OC Shane Steichen, they now gear up to face the 49ers in their Sunday showdown for the NFC Championship. 

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