Panthers mailbag: Harbaugh interest, Darnold’s future in Carolina, and biggest roster need
With the Carolina Panthers no longer in playoff contention, some fans are already turning their attention to the future.
A busy offseason awaits the Panthers, as an extensive coaching search will be compounded by the already turbulent exercise of reworking the roster in free agency and the draft.
So, as fans ponder the future of their favorite football franchise, The Charlotte Observer opens up its mailbag to answer reader questions.
@donaldc58 on Twitter asks: Would the team really reach into the college ranks again after the failed experience with Matt Rhule? And would Jim Harbaugh really want the Carolina position with the tenuous QB situation?
The Charlotte Observer confirmed on Tuesday that Panthers owner David Tepper recently spoke with University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh. That conversation was not a formal interview.
Having said that, Harbaugh isn’t just a “college coach.” In fact, he’s more of a unicorn candidate than anyone else currently making the rumor mill churn.
Harbaugh is a former NFL quarterback, who has had notable coaching success in the NFL and the college ranks. He’s also a proven QB developer — Colin Kaepernick with the 49ers and Andrew Luck with Stanford — who has a sharp offensive mind. Essentially, he checks most boxes for what owners are looking for in the modern NFL.
On paper, comparing Harbaugh to Matt Rhule is like comparing an entire fruit salad to an orange. Harbaugh’s college success has trumped Rhule’s resume by a mile. And on top of that, Harbaugh is a former NFL player and a head coach who led his team to a Super Bowl matchup.
In regards to the follow-up question, Harbaugh has stated that not winning a Super Bowl is unfinished business in the NFL. The Athletic reported earlier this week that multiple sources close to Harbaugh believe he will head to the NFL if offered a job.
Harbaugh interviewed for the Minnesota Vikings’ opening last year, but he was passed over for Kevin O’Connell. While Kirk Cousins is a polarizing quarterback, he wasn’t seen as being on solid ground ahead of O’Connell’s hiring. He signed a contract extension after O’Connell — whom he worked with in Washington — was hired.
In the interest of the Panthers, another question should be asked: Does Carolina want another overarching program-builder after the way Rhule led the team to failure?
Overarching NFL dictators are few and far between in the annals of league success. Just like in the movie business, it’s hard to find a talent who can write, direct and star in a successful venture in the NFL.
Harbaugh was let go in San Francisco, at least partially, because of a reported power struggle gone awry. Who is to say he won’t repeat that approach in Charlotte?
For as much as Harbaugh might want to be the Bradley Cooper-type and create his own “A Star is Born” success story, Tepper might view that approach as antithetical to the process. For every Bill Belichick or Pete Carroll, there is a Rhule or Chip Kelly.
Tepper knows that firsthand, and because of that knowledge, he might be hesitant to go all in on a coach with a history of wanting to own an entire program. Or, he might welcome the opportunity to get that style of operation right this time around.
For what it’s worth, Queen City News anchor Will Kunkel, who first reported the conversation between Harbaugh and the Panthers, reported Tuesday that Harbaugh told the outlet that he believes he will be coaching at Michigan next season.
@walkscore on Twitter asks: Is it crazy to think Darnold could be our guy next year and we take best talent on the board?
With the future of the coaching staff up in the air, the quarterback position is really an “anything goes” outlook at this point. So, no, it’s not crazy to weigh the possibility of Sam Darnold returning and serving as a bridge quarterback and Week 1 starter in 2023.
Still, the odds are against that scenario, mainly because a new coaching staff will probably want to bring in a veteran that fits their offense — even if they plan to use a first-round pick on a rookie quarterback.
As The Observer previously reported, interim head coach Steve Wilks wants to bring in a new quarterback via the draft or free agency — regardless of who returns to the depth chart this offseason — if he is retained by ownership.
Darnold is actually one of several notable quarterbacks set to hit free agency in March.
While names like Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo are probably far-fetched possibilities for the Panthers, the right head coach at the top of the totem pole could create the ideal landing spot for either of them.
Geno Smith and Lamar Jackson, barring franchise tags, will be premium targets on the open market as well.
Daniel Jones, who is likely to return to the New York Giants with a new contract or via the franchise tag, is also an impending free agent.
Those five quarterbacks will make up the top-tier group of quarterbacks in free agency.
Darnold is likely to be viewed in the second tier: competition or bridge veteran starters. That group will also feature Teddy Bridgewater, Baker Mayfield, Jacoby Brissett, Mike White and Andy Dalton.
It’s a matter of money with that second tier. If the head coach is dead set on drafting a rookie quarterback to develop, the Panthers will strengthen the depth chart with a veteran passer who can serve as a bridge starter while the rookie grows behind the scenes.
If the new head coach wants a veteran QB leading the charge, Darnold would probably get passed over for one of the five big names listed above.
The Panthers could also look into acquiring Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who is an awkward holding pattern with $40 million set to be guaranteed to him in February barring a release.
@MeoxMixPodcast on Twitters asks: What is the one surprise cut you see happening this offseason?
Longtime starting linebacker Shaq Thompson will be the Panthers’ highest-paid defender in 2023. With a base salary of $12.36 million, Thompson no longer has guaranteed money associated with his contract.
Thompson has had a solid season despite the constant shuffles on the roster and within the coaching staff. He is also the leader of the defense.
However, the Panthers can gain $13.19 million in salary cap space by releasing him before free agency, according to Over The Cap.
Set to turn 29 in April, Thompson could be approached with the idea of taking a pay cut. If Thompson balks, the 2015 first-round pick could be shown the door.
It’ll be interesting to see how that dynamic plays out, especially if Wilks is retained. If a new head coach comes in, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see new leadership move on from the longer-tenured players on the roster.
Along with Thompson, there are some other players who could be released for salary cap reasons as well.
Former starting center Pat Elflein — depending on what happens with Bradley Bozeman’s free agency outlook — could also be shown the door. Elflein’s release would save the Panthers around $4.75 million.
In a similar scenario, injured kicker Zane Gonzalez could be the victim of Eddy Piñeiro’s strong season. Piñeiro leads the league entering Week 18 with a 94.1% conversion rate on field goals. Gonzalez’s release would save the Panthers about $1.8 million on the salary cap.
@Elysian_Way on Twitter asks: Which side of the ball has the best free agent market? And which position would be best suited to target?
Considering the strong quarterback class that is about to hit the open market, the offensive side appears to be the runaway leader.
Over the past few years, playmakers have decided to bet on themselves with one-year deals and some of those talented weapons are about to hit the market again. Tight end, in particular, seems to be a real spot for growth in free agency.
While the Panthers believe in the blocking prowess of Ian Thomas, they don’t have an every-down weapon at the tight end position. Free agency seems to be an outlet to fix that problem in 2023.
Dalton Schultz, Evan Engram, Mike Gesicki and Austin Hooper are all set to hit the market. Schultz and Gesicki are coming off franchise tags, while Engram is having a career year with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
All three players are in their prime and will cost a fortune. Still, having a talented juggernaut at tight end is a quarterback’s best friend.
And while the Panthers have struggled to find a franchise quarterback to succeed Cam Newton for the foreseeable future, the team has also slumped in replacing Greg Olsen’s playmaking ability since he left town.
If Schultz, Gesicki and Engram are out of their price range, the Panthers could get a bargain option in Hooper. Set to turn 29 this year, Hooper could be a solid addition on a three-year deal to help the new quarterback get acquainted with the offense.
@PanthersCulture on Twitter asks: Considering how bad our cornerbacks have played without Jaycee Horn on the field, how early in the draft should the team target cornerback? Considering the current roster, which is a bigger need, EDGE2 or CB2?
In regards to the first question, the Panthers should definitely restock the shelves at cornerback.
While Jaycee Horn has been fantastic when healthy, he will miss his 18th game in two seasons due to injury on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Having an oft-injured top cornerback is a dangerous game, so investing in depth is paramount.
The Panthers like Donte Jackson and C.J. Henderson quite a bit. While they’ve both had their struggles, they’ve also had their moments in coverage. Horn, Henderson and Jackson all have the ability to move around the secondary, which gives the defense flexibility when they are all healthy. However, when one or more is out of the lineup, the secondary tends to struggle with rotational assignments.
The Panthers would be wise to invest a Day 2 pick in a cornerback who has the same versatility as Jackson and Horn. Myles Hartsfield, the Panthers’ nickel/free safety utility player, will be a restricted free agent this offseason. If the Panthers were to bring Hartsfield back, they might only focus on outside cornerbacks in the draft.
The answer to the second question is actually quite simple. The Panthers have three cornerbacks who they feel comfortable with. It’s hard to say the same at starting defensive end.
Brian Burns is going to be paid a mint this offseason, but he’s only one player. In the NFL, defenses need two premium edge rushers to really thrive.
Outside of quarterback, finding a pass rushing counterpart for Burns is the biggest need on the Panthers’ roster.
This story was originally published January 4, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
