KEY POINTS
- The Carolina Panthers could make a run to hire Sean Payton next offseason
- Thes New Orleans Saints still own the rights to Payton
- The Miami Dolphins were also linked to Payton last February
The Carolina Panthers are pinning their hopes on Matt Rhule for the coming NFL season, a stint that may be cut short if the 47-year-old fails to lead the team to a good showing.
The Panthers have their work cut out for them with Rhule up to the task.
But in the event things go haywire, it seems Carolina has a backup plan ready with reports that they are eyeing Sean Payton.
The Super Bowl champion coach is expected to work in broadcasting this season, possibly either with Fox or Amazon.
As far as coaching is concerned, the 58-year-old’s coaching rights remain with the New Orleans Saints.
But now, the Panthers have emerged as a potential suitor for Payton despite Rhule officially the team’s new head coach, FrontOfficeSports.com reported.
It would also be good to note that this comes despite the Panthers’ statement that they would not consider a coach who is under contract with another team.
“We would not talk to—or consider—a coach who’s under contract with another team,” an official statement from the Panthers read.
This becomes the latest development as far as Payton possibly coaching again.
Back in February, word broke out that the Miami Dolphins were seeking permission from the Saints to interview Payton, but the request was denied.
In 2019, there were also claims that the Dallas Cowboys were close to hiring the 2006 AP Coach of the Year.
Payton retired after the 2021 NFL season, finishing his 15-year coaching run with a 161-97 record/
For now, it would be best to take this with a grain of salt with the Panthers expected to focus on the upcoming season.
Carolina Panthers team owner pledged his full support to Rhule, at least for the coming NFL season. His tenure will however depend on how well he can turn things around for the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers will start their 2022-23 NFL season at home on Sept. 11 when they host the Cleveland Browns at the Bank of America Stadium per Panthers.com.
The Panthers are 4-2 against the Browns all time and 2-0 in games played there. The two NFL teams last played at the Bank of America Stadium in 2014 with Carolina winning, 17-13.
In this picture, Sean Payton reacts before the NFC Divisional Playoff against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, Jan. 13, 2019. Photo: Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
