Tag: David Tepper

Report: Panthers owner David Tepper would give Sean Payton ‘about anything he wants’

Panthers owner David Tepper is reportedly willing to give Sean Payton “just about anything he wants” to make him his team’s new head coach.

Sean Payton is far and away the most qualified candidate in the Carolina Panthers’ search for a new head coach. So owner David Tepper, being the seasoned and successful businessman that he is, knows he’ll have to pony up.

And according to Mark Maske of The Washington Post, that’s exactly what the billionaire is prepared to do. On Wednesday—about 48 hours ahead of Payton and Tepper’s meeting in Manhattan—Maske provided us with this interesting, yet pretty unsurprising little nugget.

A Super Bowl winner and a six-time NFC South champion, Payton possesses a résumé that very few coaches in this league—let alone Carolina’s other targets—currently do. Before taking the 2022 campaign off as a studio analyst for FOX sports, the 59-year-old headed the Saints for 15 seasons—molding them, more times than not, into a perennial contender.

But, in addition to the hefty contract and roster control Payton would likely command, Tepper and the Panthers must also fork over some compensation to New Orleans for such a hire. Being that Payton remains under contract with the Saints through the 2024 campaign, the move can only be completed through a trade with their division rivals.

So, if Tepper decides to give his next head coach a czar-like rule, at least this one would have some NFL experience.

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Sean Payton says he’ll meet with Panthers owner David Tepper soon

Sean Payton says he’ll meet with Panthers owner David Tepper soon, having scheduled a formal interview in New York, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

It is going to be a big week for Sean Payton. The former New Orleans Saints head coach is allowed to begin in-person interviews with teams soliciting his services on Tuesday, Jan. 17. His first interview will be in Los Angeles with the Denver Broncos. Then, per Payton himself in an interview with FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd, he’ll head across the country to meet with Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper.

The Panthers requested permission to speak with Payton from the Saints over the weekend. They have also recently taken an interest in defensive coordinators that share ties to Payton, former Broncos head coach Vic Fangio and current Saints co-defensive coordinator Kris Richard. It certainly looks like Carolina is prepared to show Payton that they have a common, vested interest in making Mint Street as comfortable as possible for him.

The good news for the Saints is that if an in-division rival were to be Payton’s desired landing spot, they would have to pay the premium of premiums to get it done. There is precedent for this move to happen within the division. In 1997 New England Patriots head coach Bill Parcells was traded to the New York Jets. A few years later, then-Jets head coach Bill Belichick was traded from New York to New England, as facilitated by Parcells who was then the Jets’ director of football operations.

Each trade netted the head coach’s original team first-round draft selections, though the Parcells trade brought the Patriots in two full seasons later. Payton spoke on draft compensation while visiting Cowherd on Monday estimating the Saints will receive a “mid or later first-round pick” in return for his services. One must assume that single pick would be the focal point of a larger return from whichever team he chooses. A return that should be bountiful if moved across the division to the Panthers.

In 2023 alone the Panthers will have the No. 9 overall selection, a pair of second round picks, the San Francisco 49ers’ third-round selection along with several day three options. It is safe to assume the Saints would want as much as they can get in 2023 with additional 2024 assets likely to be on the table as well. The downside of it all for the Saints? If Payton chooses the Panthers, they will effectively hand over a potential Hall of Fame head coach to a division rival who they must contend with at least twice a year.

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Sean Payton going to the Panthers would lead to bad blood, but a better trade return

Sean Payton going to the Panthers would lead to bad blood in an established rivalry, but it would also bring the Saints a better return in a trade:

Now that’s one way to send the New Orleans Saints fanbase into an uproar. The Saints greenlit an interview request from the Carolina Panthers for former head coach Sean Payton, who is still under contract with New Orleans through 2024 after stepping down from his post last year. The Panthers have been meeting with head coach candidates throughout the week after interim coach Steve Wilks led them to a 7-10 finish, having dismissed Matt Rhule midway through the 2022 season.

Now Payton is on the radar of an NFC South rival and he could soon be coaching against the Saints twice each year. He still needs to actually meet with Carolina and see what owner David Tepper is willing to offer him, and it would take a lot for him to willingly enter such a fraught situation — but if Tepper is willing to pay him $15 to $20 million a year and give him personnel control, well, that’s a tough offer to walk away from.

But this would definitely lead to bad blood within an established rivalry. The Saints have a narrow 29-28 lead over the Panthers in their series history. While it isn’t as spirited a feud as New Orleans enjoys with the Atlanta Falcons, there’s real passion and vitriol here. Having the greatest coach in franchise history leading a direct competitor would sure add fuel to that fire.

Trading Payton to Carolina would also bring a stronger return to the Saints. A division rival is going to be taxed more heavily than a team in another NFC division, or one hailing from the AFC. While New Orleans hasn’t worked out specific compensation with any team interviewing Payton in the days ahead, general manager Mickey Loomis has said that part of the process in approving those interviews is reaching a general understanding of what is needed to acquire Payton. And that price changes for each team based on their unique circumstances and available trade assets.

Remember, players can’t be involved in coach trades. Teams can only exchange draft picks and cash. And the Panthers could do more to drive up the price than any other team thanks to their stockpile of draft assets. They own selections in the 2023 draft including the ninth overall pick in the first round, a pair of second rounders, a third rounder, and two fourth-round selections. They also have their full allotment of picks in 2024 with a couple of more late-round picks thrown in for good measure.

The only hurdle is Payton himself. Carolina’s situation is not one that matches his ideal description of stable, supportive ownership and an effective front office. David Tepper has been a mercurial force after buying the franchise a couple of years ago, waffling on personnel decisions and pushing them to make ill-advised moves for a series of quarterbacks of varying competence. They still don’t have a quarterback, and Payton’s odds of finding one he wants to work with diminish if the Panthers trade the No. 9 pick for him. Even if Tepper offers him everything he wants, it’s tough to see him taking that offer seriously.

But stranger things have happened than an iconic coach being traded to a division rival. Payton’s own mentor Bill Parcells was once traded from the New England Patriots to the New York Jets. We shouldn’t dismiss this possibility out of hand. The Panthers are obviously willing to pay the price by seeking an interview in the first place. It just comes back to Payton’s willingness to take the job.

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Panthers enter the Sean Payton sweepstakes, receive permission for interview

The Panthers have entered the Sean Payton sweepstakes. The NFC South rivals have received permission to interview the former Saints coach:

This could be big. Multiple reports came out on Sunday afternoon stating that the Carolina Panthers have received permission from the New Orleans Saints to schedule an interview with former Saints head coach Sean Payton concerning their own coaching vacancy — adding serious intrigue to Payton’s exodus given Carolina is an NFC South divisional rival. And the Panthers have a stockpile of draft picks including multiple picks in the second and fourth rounds of this year’s draft, plus the No. 9 overall pick in the first round.

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said this week that while no specific trade packages have been agreed on in granting interview requests with the Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, and Houston Texans, there is a broad understanding of what New Orleans is seeking in compensation for Payton’s coaching rights. So the Panthers have a general idea of what the Saints would need to send Payton to a close rival they face twice each year. That’s likely to be much more costly than what the Saints would ask for in sending Payton to a team in another division or conference.

Now it’s on Carolina to convince Payton. His close friend Jay Glazer previously reported for FOX Sports that “it ain’t happening” should the Panthers take a swing at Payton, but owner David Tepper is trying it anyway. Tepper hasn’t exactly earned much goodwill around the league in abandoning a half-built training facility and replacing Bank of America Stadium’s grass playing-field with a cheap artificial turf surface, among other meddling moves, but if he’s willing to make Payton the NFL’s highest-paid head coach and make other generous concessions they might be able to cut a deal.

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Panthers owner David Tepper reportedly ‘enamored’ with Lions OC Ben Johnson

According to Joe Person of The Athletic, Panthers owner David Tepper is “enamored” with Lions OC Ben Johnson.

Sorry, Detroit Lions fans, but you’re not the only ones who really like your offensive coordinator.

While opening up a Sunday morning mailbag and answering a few pertinent questions regarding the busy Carolina Panthers, Joe Person of The Athletic gave us a little nugget as to which direction owner David Tepper may be moving in his head coaching search. And as of now, the favorite to land the gig could be Lions play caller Ben Johnson.

“The buzz in league circles is that Tepper is enamored with Johnson, whose innovative schemes helped the Lions finish fifth in the NFL in scoring offense and total offense in his first season as offensive coordinator,” Person writes. “Johnson’s a sharp guy — with degrees from UNC in math and computer science — so you’d have to think he’s going to nail his interview this week.”

Johnson, a Charleston, S.C. native, has received high acclaim for his work in Detroit. In addition to those sparkling overall offensive ranks, the 36-year-old helped revive quarterback Jared Goff—who completed 68.3 percent of his passes for 2,937 yards, 15 touchdowns and zero interceptions over his final nine outings of the campaign.

And considering Tepper and the Panthers have struggled mightily to find an answer under center, Johnson’s 2022 may be a huge factor in this process.

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Report: Jim Harbaugh initiated call to Panthers owner David Tepper

According to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, Jim Harbaugh initiated the recent call to the Panthers—who plan to “focus their efforts elsewhere” in their HC search.

After a week of speculation, it turns out there is some interest in a Carolina Panthers-Jim Harbaugh pairing. But that interest may be a bit more one-sided than many would’ve believed.

On Sunday morning, CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones noted that it was Harbaugh’s side—not owner David Tepper’s—who initiated the reported conversation between the two men. FOX Charlotte’s Will Kunkel was the first to report on the discussion about the team’s head-coaching job on Tuesday.

“Sources tell CBS Sports that Harbaugh — or his representation — had been calling Tepper with some regularity in recent weeks,” Jones writes. “Tepper eventually held a conversation with Harbaugh, but it was never characterized as a job interview for the permanent head coaching job in Carolina.”

Jones added that interim head coach Steve Wilks will, of course, be considered for the gig. Some outside challengers to the position may include three current offensive coordinators—with Buffalo’s Ken Dorsey, Dallas’ Kellen Moore and Detroit’s Ben Johnson of particular note.

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Panthers expected to keep GM Scott Fitterer

According to MMQB’s Albert Breer, the Panthers are expected to retain GM Scott Fitterer—unless . . .

The Carolina Panthers probably aren’t done gettin’ Fitty wit it.

With so much change abound in the organization, specifically at the head-coaching position, it’s fair to assume owner David Tepper is willing to do whatever he can to mold a winner. But that change, according to MMQB senior editor Albert Breer, won’t come at general manager Scott Fitterer’s expense.

He writes:

“As for Carolina GM Scott Fitterer, I’ve heard he’s been involved in laying groundwork for finding the next coach, so I think Tepper will keep him (I know he likes him) and his personnel staff, particularly if Wilks is the guy.”

Keeping the band together wouldn’t be a terrible strategy for the Panthers, especially considering the progress they’ve made under interim head coach Steve Wilks. While Wilks’ 5-6 record at the helm doesn’t exactly sparkle—the attitude, identity and inspiration he’s instilled into his team has rejuvenated the entire franchise.

But what if Wilks isn’t ultimately Tepper’s choice? What if he opts for a heavy hitter?

If that’s the case, Breer could see a situation where Fitterer follows Wilks out of their posts:

“That one scenario where I think there could be a new GM—if Tepper gets smitten with a coach like he did with Rhule in 2020, and that coach has leverage to push for his own GM.”

Hopefully for Fitterer, Tepper is smitten with the job he’s done thus far.

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Panthers spent ‘good amount of time’ researching young offensive coaches

David Tepper and the Panthers have already begun researching young offensive coaches. But Steve Wilks can keep picking up steam of his own with a strong Week 18 showing.

Unless Steve Wilks can stake his claim to the job, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper may have a type.

Last week, NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero gave us their early feeling on Carolina’s head-coaching search—stating that the organization is expected to “interview all of the rising offensive gurus.” Now, on Saturday, MMQB senior editor Albert Breer reported that Tepper and company have already begun work on that angle.

But, Wilks will still get his chance to make even more of an impression—extending into Sunday’s season finale against the New Orleans Saints.

“Interim coach Steve Wilks has done an admirable job, keeping his team in the playoff mix until Week 17, and owner David Tepper is conscious of the climate in his building—the locker room is solidly behind Wilks, who has enabled a reworked coaching staff to build a hard-edged identity behind a punishing run game over the second half of the year,” Breer writes. “If Wilks stays, it’d have to be with a detailed plan for the offense. The Panthers, after firing Matt Rhule, spent a good amount of time researching young offensive coaches, an indication on where Tepper was leaning with his search. Wilks could bring in someone such as Philadelphia QBs coach Brian Johnson—if he gets the job. I know Carolina people believe a good showing Sunday at New Orleans could well impact Wilks getting that shot.”

Wilks, who had the Panthers playing their most inspiring ball in years, has already won over his players and the fans. So uninstalling him would be a tricky task for Tepper.

Nonetheless, the billionaire owner is making sure no stone goes unturned—especially after that last kitchen fire with the former short-order cook.

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Report: Panthers owner David Tepper spoke with Jim Harbaugh about HC job

As first reported by FOX Charlotte’s Will Kunkel, Panthers owner David Tepper has had a conversation with Jim Harbaugh about the team’s head-coaching job.

Even though Carolina Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks might’ve done enough to have that “interim” label knocked off going into 2023, owner David Tepper probably won’t leave a single stone unturned in naming his man. And his man could be a Michigan one.

As first reported by Will Kunkel of FOX Charlotte on Tuesday, Tepper has had a conversation with University of Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh regarding the team’s head-coaching job.

The former Panthers quarterback has spent the last eight years heading his alma mater in Ann Arbor, Mich. He’s led the Wolverines to a 74-25 mark since 2015, with a 1-6 record in bowl games.

Before his jump back to college, Harbaugh spent four seasons as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers between 2011 and 2014. That run, which resulted in a 44-19-1 mark, saw Harbaugh capture NFL Coach of the Year honors in 2011 as well as a Super Bowl appearance in the 2012 campaign.

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Panthers expected to interview ‘offensive gurus’ for HC position

Steve Wilks hasn’t secured the job just yet, as the Panthers are expected to sift through some of the league’s top “offensive gurus” in their search for a new HC.

Steve Wilks has done a fine job of leading the Carolina Panthers. In fact, it’s been more than just fine—rousing, even.

But this extended interview process is far from over.

As reported by NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero on Sunday morning, the Panthers—even after what Wilks has done—still plan on engaging in a “full” search for their next head coach. And this time around, they may have a type.

“The turnaround has positioned Wilks, 53, as a strong candidate for the full-time job,” the report notes. “He’s well-regarded and liked within the building. However, Carolina still intends to go through a full search process that also includes other in-demand candidates. Owner David Tepper’s top priorities have been solidifying the quarterback position and the offense, so expect the Panthers to interview all of the rising offensive gurus. If Wilks is going to get the job, he’ll need to sell his plan for that side of the ball, too. Tepper also respects Wilks’ leadership traits, which is a huge part of the job.”

Those leadership traits have breathed new life into the Panthers this season. After starting 1-4 under the departed Matt Rhule, Wilks has pushed Carolina to a 5-5 mark—which has them just two wins away from an improbable NFC South title.

And while Wilks has won over players and fans alike, you can’t blame Tepper and company for wanting to gauge all possible options—especially if they’re looking to finally solve their longstanding quarterback conundrum.

Can Wilks help do that? Is there a more appealing choice out there? We’ll find out in the next few weeks . . . unless these Panthers are a little busy prowling in the playoffs.

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