Panthers notebook: What does Tua Tagovailoa’s decision mean for Carolina in the draft?
While the Panthers’ head coaching search continues this week, things haven’t stayed quiet for the team and the NFL.
Here’s a round-up of some of Monday’s news and what it means for the Panthers:
Potential draft pick?
The Panthers’ future at quarterback is unknown, and it just got more interesting.
Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa announced Monday that he will leave college to enter the 2020 NFL Draft.
Tagovailoa’s season ended early after undergoing surgery following his hip injury in November. His rehab is expected to extend into the spring, likely past the April draft.
His decision leaves the Panthers in an interesting place with the seventh overall pick. It may not be the team’s best use of the selection to take a quarterback as they have significant needs on the offensive and defensive lines, but there is uncertainty at QB as well.
Cam Newton underwent surgery on his left foot in December and is rehabbing the injury. As owner David Tepper and others have said multiple times, the key to Newton’s return to the Panthers is his health, which has been a big issue for the team, especially over the last two seasons.
The Panthers will likely not know anything for certain about Newton’s health when the draft rolls around in April. They also don’t have a starting-caliber quarterback on the roster other than Newton; Kyle Allen’s inconsistent play wasn’t enough to prove he can do the job and Will Grier isn’t ready to be a full-time starter.
The Panthers will take a look at Tagovailoa. It would be irresponsible of them not to. It would be surprising to see him fall to seventh (the Bengals and Dolphins, who pick first and fifth, need quarterbacks), but how NFL doctors evaluate his health will go a long way toward where he’s drafted.
One candidate off the list
The Panthers have one less candidate on their coaching list with former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy taking the Cowboys job, according to multiple reports.
McCarthy was one of the first coaches to interview with Carolina, but time had passed since their initial meeting. There are only two other teams with head coach openings now (Browns and Giants).
What does this mean for the Panthers? Almost all of their remaining candidates, outside of Baylor coach Matt Rhule, as of now are current offensive coordinators with either limited or no head coaching experience in the NFL. This includes Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski, who are expected to interview this week.
The lack of head coaching experience in the NFL will make the assistants the new coach hires even more important.
Other notes:
- Speaking of assistants, the new head coach will have an opportunity to bring a lot of new people to Charlotte with him. Washington announced Monday that long-time Carolina trainer Ryan Vermillion is joining Ron Rivera’s new staff. Vermillion spent 18 seasons with the Panthers and was responsible for all aspects of the team’s health care, including Newton’s injuries. Whoever fills that role will play an important role going forward and will be among a variety of new assistants with many expected to join Rivera in Washington.
- The Panthers announced Monday that defensive Efe Obada signed a one-year contract extension to remain with the team in 2020. Obada was set to become an exclusive rights free agent in 2020, meaning the team would either offer him a contract or he would become a free agent. In his second season, he played in all 16 games and had 24 tackles and four quarterback hits. Unlike his rookie year, however, he had zero sacks after having two in 2018. Obada is the first of many free agent signings to come for the Panthers this offseason.
