Should the Panthers trade for Bill Belichick?
Only 11 games into the 2023 season, the Carolina Panthers fired their first-year head coach Frank Reich. With a new coaching spot needing to be filled in the near future, is the 71-year-old Bill Belichick the Panthers’ perfect head coaching fit? Here’s why.
Ever since Tom Brady left, the Patriots have had some seasons they want to forget. Belichick and the Patriots have amassed a record of 27-35 in the regular season since Brady left after the 2019-2020 playoffs. To make matters worse, the Patriots are off to the worst start in the Belichick era at 2-9, their worst 11-game start since 1993.
With Belichick signing an extension with the Patriots over the offseason, Carolina would be forced to trade for the coach if Belichick isn’t fired after this year.
Across the league, Carolina ranks sixth in total penalties received this season with 74, only 10 back from the Buffalo Bills for the league lead. This season, the Panthers are averaging 6.7 penalties per game. In his time as the Patriots head coach, Belichick has reached the seven-penalty mark only once, according to TeamRankings.com.
Contrasting with the Patriots, the Panthers have a relatively small media market in Carolina. If Belichick were traded to Carolina or accepted a contract from them, the media wouldn’t be swarming around him as much, relieving a lot more stress off the already uptight and drill-sergeant-like head coach.
If it’s money Belichick is looking after, look no further. David Tepper is here to save the day. Tepper’s net worth exceeds $20 billion and will continue to grow with success in Carolina. In adding Belichick to the coaching staff, he will get paid a chunk of money out of Tepper’s pocket.
Belichick brings coaching excellence and leadership to the organization, something that they have almost never had in their 29-year existence. Yes, Ron Rivera was there for nine seasons, but was saved by Cam Newton in 2015.
The longtime Patriots head coach would fit perfectly with Carolina. Belichick has always been a hard-nosed coach who is deep into disciplining players. Testing that on Bryce Young and the rest of a young Panthers team would be just what they need.
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