Will Sean Payton Be The Next Coach In Carolina?
Sunday’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers sealed the fate of Carolina Panthers‘ head coach Matt Rhule.
By Monday morning, the Panthers sent Rhule packing, firing him after starting the season 1-4.
However, rumors are already swirling over who’s the next long-term head coach in Carolina.
While the team has Steve Wilks as the interim head coach, they will search for a permanent fix soon.
Some feel former New Orleans Saints’ head coach Sean Payton might be the guy.
But are the Payton rumors of him going to Carolina a fantasy or a reality Panthers’ fans can look forward to?
Panthers Face Major Obstacles If They Want Payton
The Panthers need to pay a hefty sum to get Payton to coach their team.
However, the Saints, who still have the rights to his contract until 2024, might kill any deal to hire Payton in Carolina.
Sean Payton will likely be at the top of this list, just like he is going to be at the top of every list. But hard to imagine any world in which the #Saints — who have his rights until 2024 — would be cool sending Payton to a division rival. https://t.co/6A7QZN3IG1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 10, 2022
With the Saints needing to green light any deal, it’s something they may pass on.
As Ian Rapoport notes, it’s hard to believe the Saints will send Payton to their NFC South rival.
So the idea of Payton heading out to Carolina seems more like a pipe dream than something that will become a reality.
But stranger things have happened in the NFL.
If the Saints feel their former head coach isn’t able to turn the Panthers around, they might not fear letting him coach the Panthers.
Could Payton Fix The Disaster In Carolina?
Currently, the Panthers are a franchise that’s a total disaster.
Their quarterback situation is the main reason for the disastrous season so far.
Baker Mayfield, who was brought in to save the Panthers in 2022, is a total bust.
His reckless play and uncalled for comments regarding fans booing him are ruining the team.
Baker Mayfield says he doesn’t care that fans are boo’ing. He’s only concerned with his teammates. pic.twitter.com/pXMgBZ3VuT
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) October 2, 2022
However, the former Saints coach has players he can work with in Carolina if his former team allows him to coach them.
The Panthers have an elite running back in Christian McCaffrey and two solid receivers in D. J. Moore and Robbie Anderson.
While the team might have issues with their QB situation in 2022, the 2023 season can easily give Payton a better signal caller.
He’ll also have a decent defense, as they finished week five in the middle of the pack.
They have kept their offense in games, despite the mistakes Mayfield has made this season.
So he’s got enough tools to fix the issues in Carolina.
However, does he even want to go to Carolina and coach again?
Payton Finds Panthers HC Job As “Attractive”
When he was interviewed by Colin Cowherd, Payton described the head coaching job in Carolina as “attractive.”
“It’s almost a unicorn — the open job with a great QB, waiting for you to come in and be the foster parent.”@SeanPayton on Matt Rhule out in Carolina pic.twitter.com/TKk7GsRVGw
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) October 10, 2022
He sees potential with the quarterback situation in Carolina, despite Mayfield’s horrible play.
So if the price is right for the Saints, it’s sounding like Payton might take the job in Carolina.
While it is a long shot, the potential is there for him to coach the Panthers.
All the Panthers need is to offer the Saints whatever they want to buyout his contract, which will get him to Carolina.