Panthers desire to interview Lions OC, according to reports

Following the sacking of Frank Reich in November, the Carolina Panthers have launched the search for a new head coach.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, Carolina has asked to interview Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken for the position of head coach. Furthermore, the Panthers have asked to speak with Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. All three are expected to be on every team’s shortlist when looking for a new head coach.

Following his success in Detroit the previous two seasons, Johnson was one of the first names to be connected to Carolina’s opening. Johnson, 37, has been with the Lions for the past five seasons, the last two as offensive coordinator. He oversaw a Lions offense that ranked third in the league in yards per game (394.8) and fifth in points per game (27.1). Last summer, he reportedly denied a second interview with Carolina for the same position, paving the path for the team to hire Reich.

Monken, 57, has traveled far more extensively, having begun his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Grand Valley State in 1989. He’s in his debut season in Baltimore and leads the league’s No. 6 offense. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has thrived under Monken and is the frontrunner for the AP NFL MVP Award. Monken was Georgia’s offensive coordinator for the previous three seasons, guiding the Bulldogs to back-to-back national titles in 2021 and ’22.

Panthers looking for coach to work with Bryce Young

Slowik, 36, would be the NFL’s youngest head coach. Slowik spent six seasons on Kyle Shanahan’s staff with the San Francisco 49ers before following DeMeco Ryans to Houston as the Texans’ offensive coordinator. The Texans, who were the No. 2 overall choice in the NFL Draft a year ago, qualified for the AFC playoffs. CJ Stroud, the AP Offensive Player of the Year, has just completed one of the best rookie seasons by a signal-caller in recent memory.

The Panthers’ next head coach will be charged with improving the league’s worst offense as well as quarterback Bryce Young, who battled hard in his debut season.