How do Carolina Panthers coordinators, former coach Steve Wilks rate among NFL players?
It turns out that players across the NFL enjoy playing for coaches with substantial ties to the Carolina Panthers.
NFL players were asked to rate their offensive, defensive and special teams coordinators in conjunction with the second annual NFLPA Player Team Report Card project — an anonymous player survey conducted with each team during NFLPA visits last fall — and three Carolina coaches made the Top 5 in their respective roles.
Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown was ranked No. 2 among OCs. Panthers special teams coordinator (and interim head coach) Chris Tabor was ranked No. 2 among STCs. And Steve Wilks, the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator with all sorts of Carolina ties, was ranked No. 2 among DCs.
Per the NFLPA release: “These coordinators received the highest average rating from players on their clubs, based on survey results collected from players on each team.”
The NFLPA said in a statement that it plans to release its full team report cards in the spring.
Despite his unit’s well-documented struggles, Brown’s high marks aren’t surprising considering the positive reviews players have offered about him throughout the season — most notably when former head coach Frank Reich gave him play-calling responsibilities in the middle of the season.
Said quarterback Bryce Young at the time: “Just being able to see how he views the game, how he sees the game, how he calls stuff, how he scripts — we’re always bouncing ideas off (each other) to see how he feels about things. So again, the decision part is above my pay grade, but the decision part, knowing what it is moving forward, it’s really exciting.”
Tabor’s selection isn’t out of the blue, either. The team’s interim head coach was one of the few assistant coaches to survive the Matt Rhule firing and is among the most respected coaches in the league.
”One of the things that I think is unique, taking a quick glance at it: Special teams coordinators, I think, are probably the best of the lists in large parts because it’s the same guys coaching the same types of players in 32 cities,” said longsnapper JJ Jansen, who earned a third-alternate Pro Bowl nod on Wednesday night. “And because of how the league is, special teams coordinators move around in the same role over time. So you can kind of figure out who the best special teams coordinators are because they have good units at multiple places.”
Jansen added of Tabor: “I think he’s one of the best. Dave Fipp ... I can’t argue with him because it’s a pain in the butt to go against him when we play him. Darren Rizzi in New Orleans, he’s a pain in the butt to play. You kind of know who’s good. And I think that’s also kind of cool because special teams guys around the league are saying, ‘Not only is he good, but our group is good because of him.’”
The one that might hurt to read for Panthers fans is Wilks, the defensive coordinator for the Super Bowl-favorite San Francisco 49ers. Wilks is a Charlotte native, and as defensive coordinator and interim head coach last year, he saw his players rally around him as the Panthers went 6-6 in their last 12 games and competed for a playoff berth.
Here’s a look at the full list released today.
Top 5 Defensive Coordinators
- Aaron Glenn - Detroit Lions
- Steve Wilks - San Francisco 49ers
- Dan Quinn - Dallas Cowboys
- Brian Flores - Minnesota Vikings
- Raheem Morris - Los Angeles Rams
Top 5 Offensive Coordinators
- Frank Smith - Miami Dolphins
- Thomas Brown - Carolina Panthers
- Brian Schottenheimer - Dallas Cowboys
- Brian Callahan - Cincinnati Bengals
- Kellen Moore - Los Angeles Chargers
Top 5 Special Teams Coordinators
- John Fassel - Dallas Cowboys
- Chris Tabor - Carolina Panthers
- Matt Daniels - Minnesota Vikings
- Dave Fipp - Detroit Lions
- Darren Rizzi - New Orleans Saints
Quick hits
▪ The team’s injury report was stuffed for a second time this week, but many starters returned as full participants. Those who didn’t participate: Tae Davis (illness), Marquis Haynes (concussion), Johnny Hekker (personal), Eddy Pineiro (right hamstring). Limited: Kamu Grugier-Hill (groin), Troy Hill (concussion), Jaycee Horn (toe), Cade Mays (finger). Brian Burns returned despite having a knee injury.
▪ Wide receiver DJ Chark was presented with the 2023 Pro Football Writer’s Association “Good Guy” award on Thursday. The award is intended to spotlight a player who has been helpful, professional and accessible through the season — and Chark has been that way despite the offense’s struggles. Previous award-winners in Carolina: Greg Olsen (twice), Josh Norman, Brian Burns, Mike Tolbert and Captain Munnerlyn.
