According to Michael McCarthy of FrontOfficeSports.com, the Carolina Panthers could already have a target in mind for their coaching search in 2023 should the team move on from current head coach Matt Rhule. The man on their radar? Former division rival and New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton.
The Panthers reportedly are considering a run at Sean Payton in 2023. First, the Saints would have to be willing to essentially trade his rights to Carolina. https://t.co/pvG0CpVZJf
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 12, 2022
Payton, who retired as the head coach of the Saints after the 2021 season, has been a topic of many discussions for potential openings around the league, most notably the Dallas Cowboys.
This particular circumstance is a different breed of complicated, as the Saints would have to trade the rights of their winningest head coach to an NFC South divisional rival in the Panthers before the two sides could meet officially to negotiate terms. Trade compensation would need to be agreed on, and Payton's commitment to signing a new deal with the Panthers confirmed before an exchange could officially take place. Worst case scenario, the Saints could outright deny the Panthers of Sean Payton's right, and the negotiations would be moot.
Lost amidst the rumors is current Panthers head coach Matt Rhule who is set to enter his third season with the franchise. Rhule is 10-23 in his two seasons in Carolina, and despite the rumors received some support from Panthers owner David Tepper in a press conference prior to the 2022 NFL Draft:
“I do believe that coach Rhule and Scott are doing a great job creating that foundation,” Tepper said, “I do think we have made improvements in the coaching staff; we have done a good job during free agency to fill holes. Obviously we have some needs, and we’re going to try to attempt to fill some of those in the draft. I’m fairly optimistic about the new season given all the different things that have happened here.”
Rhule and the Panthers start the 2022 season on September 11 against the Cleveland Browns.
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