Wild scenario reunites major Patriots' coach with his college quarterback
The New England Patriots coaching staff is likely on thin ice and could not return to the team in 2024. Well, could one of the most notable coaches on the staff end up reuniting with his college quarterback? Honestly, I don't think the Patriots losing anyone on their current coaching staff in 2024 would be much of a loss.
The team not only lacks talent, but the coaching is subpar. I think wholesale changes are needed for this franchise. Well, a home for one of the current coaches on the roster might already be gaining steam. Offensive Coordinator Bill O'Brien was brought in to try and get QB Mac Jones back on the right track.
O'Brien has had success on offense in the NFL and at the college level. Many people seem to think he failed big-time when he got his NFL head coaching job, but I tend to think that was because he was given GM duties. I think as a head coach, he was very solid. O'Brien definitely didn't do himself many favors this season if he was hoping to land a head coaching job.
However, there could be a head coach opening for Bill O'Brien, and it might be in Carolina. The Panthers just fired head coach Frank Reich after a 1-10 start to the season. Panthers' owner David Tepper has now fired head coaches in back to back seasons and seems to be very reactionary, perhaps a bit unstable.
From 2021-2022, Bill O'Brien was working with Bryce Young at Alabama as the team's OC and QB coach. In those two seasons, Young threw for 79 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also threw for over 8,000 yards and won the Heisman award in 2021. It's easy to see that the duo of O'Brien and Young had success at the college level.
Furthermore, the Panthers vacancy doesn't seem to be all that attractive. Sure, David Tepper can make it more attractive with the financial side of things, but the Panthers do not have their first-round pick, have a pretty bad roster on offense, and a 5'10" QB who is no bigger than your favorite team's slot cornerback.
It's not an attractive destination, so the most popular head coaching candidates this coming offseason might want to stay away from Carolina. They may have to settle for someone, and Bill O'Brien could be that guy. O'Brien surely won't be a popular name given his overall failure with the Patriots offense this year, but I do think a marriage with him in Carolina makes a ton of sense.
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