Charlotte, North Carolina – Speculation about the future of New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has been swirling throughout the season. However, one team can reportedly be ruled out of the running to acquire the future Hall of Famer. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Carolina Panthers are not in the running for Belichick.
Panthers owner David Tepper made it clear that he is looking for a coach who will stick around for the long term. After firing head coach Frank Reich in November, Tepper expressed his desire for the next coach to remain with the team for 20 or 30 years. Breer reports that Tepper has his sights set on Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to fill the vacancy.
Sources within the Panthers’ organization believe that Tepper is willing to offer Johnson a blank check to lure him away from Detroit. However, there seems to be some disagreement about Tepper’s criteria for his next hire. Some sources suggest that Tepper wants to “check ten boxes” rather than just one, indicating that he is looking for a multi-talented coach.
Interestingly, Johnson was pursued by the Panthers last season but ultimately chose to stay with the Lions. Given Tepper’s reputation for frequently firing coaches, Johnson may consider exploring other opportunities even if he is offered a blank check.
In conclusion, the Carolina Panthers can be ruled out as a potential landing spot for Bill Belichick. Panthers’ owner David Tepper is reportedly looking for a long-term coach and has turned his attention to Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. While Tepper seems eager to secure Johnson with a blank check, there are doubts about the criteria the owner is looking for in his next hire. Johnson, who turned down the Panthers previously, may have other options to consider.