When the Carolina Panthers hired head coach Frank Reich, the decision was praised as one of the best moves throughout the 2023 NFL coaching cycle. Months later, Reich is dangerously close to be on the NFL coaching hot seat.
Reich, once an NFL Coach of the Year candidate, was fired by the Indianapolis Colts midway through the 2022 NFL season. While he got off to an electric start in his first stint as head coach, delivering two seasons with double-digit wins in three years, the Colts plummeted from after the 2021 campaign.
- Frank Reich coaching record: 40-38-1, 0-5 as Carolina Panthers head coach
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Months after being fired by Indianapolis, Reich emerged as a finalist to replace Matt Rhule as the Panthers’ head coach. Once Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson backed out on a final interview, Reich was fast-tracked to being hired.
Entering NFL games today, Carolina is at the bottom of the standings with a 0-5 record. Despite Reich building arguably one of the best coaching staffs in the NFL, the Panthers have been the worst team in football this season.
Moving forward, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Reich’s future in Carolina will be directly to rookie quarterback Bryce Young. If the No. 1 overall pick the Panthers traded significant assets for doesn’t show real signs of improvement, Reich’s future becomes uncertain.
However, entering Week 6, the Panthers’ organization seems to have more confidence that Young’s turnaround is around the corner.
Related: Latest on status of Carolina Panthers coach Frank Reich
Latest on Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young’s progress, changes to offense
When he entered the 2023 NFL Draft, scouts and NFL executives raved about Young’s intellect, study habits and leadership. He posted one of the highest S2 Cognitive Test scores ever, drew glowing praise from Nick Saban with many believing he had the mind to run his own offense.
Carolina immediately put more on Young’s plate than any rookie quarterback in the NFL. By the end of September, the Panthers’ coaching staff realized it made a significant mistake in its process.
The Panthers believed they put far too much of the offense on Young’s shoulders and taxed his mind too much on the field, especially with the number of coaches in his ear. So, Carolina scaled back its offense last week by reducing Young’s pre-snap work and creating a more quarterback-friendly offense for the rookie.
As for the play-calling, Reich will remain in control of the offense for now. However, the possibility exists for that to change on a coaching staff that includes Thomas Brown, Duce Staley, Josh McCown and Jim Caldwell.
The Panthers are already fully committed to Young, having traded wide receiver D.J. Moore, the potential No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft order and other draft assets to get him. If things don’t work out this season, one of the richest NFL owners will. be squarely focused on Reich’s role in the disappointing season and Young’s poor play.