Latest On Panthers DC Steve Wilks
- It sounds like Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks will get second interviews with the Cardinals and Colts and he may also get a second go ’round with the Giants, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.It’s worth noting that Giants chairman Steve Tisch sat in on Wilks’ interview, which may be a sign that the team is serious about hiring him. As shown on PFR’s Head Coaching Search Tracker, Wilks may also be in the mix for the Lions’ vacancy.
Latest On Mike Shula Firing
- While the final decision to fire former offensive coordinator Mike Shula was ultimately left to Panthers head coach Ron Rivera, Rivera “kept the lines of communication” open with interim general manager Marty Hurney during the process, according to Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer (Twitter link).
Panthers To Interview Norv Turner For OC
The Panthers will interview longtime NFL coach Norv Turner for their offensive coordinator vacancy, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), who notes Turner is the club’s “top choice.”
Carolina’s interest in Turner comes as no surprise, as Rapoport indicated earlier today that the 65-year-old was Panthers head coach Ron Rivera‘s No. 1 contender for the OC position. Additionally, Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer (Twitter link) reported the Panthers would likely hire a “veteran” coach to replace the fired Mike Shula, and Turner would certainly fit that bill.
Turner offers a wealth of experience, as he’s coordinated offenses for six clubs while serving as head coach for three other teams. He also enjoys a working relationship with Rivera — not only did Rivera coach under Turner with the Chargers, but Turner recommended Rivera for the top job in Carolina.
If Turner is hired, he could potentially bring his son Scott along as the Panthers’ next quarterbacks coach to replace Ken Dorsey, per Rapoport (video link). However, Carolina could have competition for Turner, as Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks could hire Turner (or Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo) as his OC if he’s hired as a head coach, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/9/18
Here are the latest reserve/futures contract signings from around the NFL. These deals will go into effect on the first day of the 2018 league year, with players joining their respective clubs’ offseason 90-man rosters:
Carolina Panthers
- TE Evan Baylis
- LB Richie Brown
- WR Austin Duke
- WR Jamaal Jones
- DE Efe Obada
- S Damian Parms
- CB Zack Sanchez
- S Dezmen Southward
- TE Kent Taylor
Cleveland Browns
- DL Collin Bevins
Kansas City Chiefs
- TE Jace Amaro
- RB George Atkinson
- WR Daniel Braverman
- WR Gehrig Dieter
- TE Anthony Firkser
- LB Tyrone Holmes
- G Kaleb Johnson
- T Dillon Gordon
- DT Mike Purcell
- CB Will Redmond
- T Andrew Wylie
New Orleans Saints
Oakland Raiders
- DB Shaquille Richardson
Philadelphia Eagles
- C Jon Toth
Washington Redskins
- DB Kenny Ladler
Panthers Eyeing Norv Turner For OC Job
The Panthers need a new offensive coordinator to replace Mike Shula, who was fired on Tuesday morning. Head coach Ron Rivera is hoping that Norv Turner will be the man to replace him, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. 
Turner’s time as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator ended abruptly in November 2016 when he stepped down following a professional disagreement with head coach Mike Zimmer. Turner was reportedly interested in getting back to football soon after, but he was waiting for the right opportunity with the right quarterback.
Cam Newton could be the right QB to get Turner back on the sidelines, but one has to wonder if the team’s lack of receiving weapons could deter him from joining the Panthers. Due to a lack of depth and injuries, the Panthers’ season ended with Devin Funchess, Russell Shepard, and Brenton Bersin as the team’s top three WRs.
Turner has had several stops as an OC in the league, including with the Cowboys (1991-1993), Chargers (2001), Dolphins (2002-2003), Raiders (2004-2005), 49ers (2006), Browns (2013), and Vikings (2014-2016). He also served as the Chargers’ head coach from 2007 through 2012.
Panthers Fire OC Mike Shula
The Panthers announced that offensive coordinator Mike Shula and quarterbacks coach Ken Dorsey have been fired. 
Shula spent the past seven seasons with the team, working as quarterbacks coach for two seasons before becoming offensive coordinator in 2013. Last year, Carolina finished 19th in total offense (323.7), 17th in offensive DVOA, fourth in rushing offense (131.4), 28th in passing (192.3), and 12th in points (22.7). Ultimately, it wasn’t good enough as the Panthers were eliminated in the first stage of the playoffs.
Dorsey has been the Panthers’ QBs coach for the last five seasons. Although he has groomed Cam Newton into one of the league’s finest quarterbacks, the Panthers believe that they can do better.
The staff shakeup comes just days after a multi-year extension for head coach Ron Rivera. Between the firing of Shula and Dorsey and the likely departure of Steve Wilks, the Panthers will see serious turnover in 2018.
The Panthers join the Bears, Browns, Packers, and Giants as teams in search of a new offensive coordinator.
NFL Reserve/Future Contracts: 1/8/18
Here are the latest reserve/futures contract signings from around the NFL. These deals will go into effect on the first day of the 2018 league year, with players joining their respective clubs’ offseason 90-man rosters:
Buffalo Bills
- RB Aaron Green
- WR Quan Bray
- TE Jason Croom
- OT De’Ondre Wesley
- OT Josh James
- C Adam Redmond
- DT Marquavius Lewis
- S Dean Marlowe
- P Cory Carter
Carolina Panthers
- WR Rasheed Bailey
Detroit Lions
- DE Cam Johnson
Los Angeles Rams
- WR Fred Brown
- DT Omarius Bryant
- C Jake Eldrenkamp
- CB Dominique Hatfield
- TE Henry Krieger-Coble
- TE Johnny Mundt
- CB Taurean Nixon
- OLB Ejuan Price
- FB Sam Rogers
- CB Marcus Sayles
Panthers Rumors: Hurney, Johnson, Davis
The Panthers’ offseason began on Sunday after a tough loss to the rival Saints. With an eye on the Panthers’ offseason, here’s the latest out of Carolina:
- Interim general manager Marty Hurney says he would like to stay on as the team’s permanent GM (via Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer). “I love what I’m doing,” Hurney said. Many in the Panthers organization are rooting for Hurney to get the post on a permanent basis. His one-year deal with the team will expire in June.
- Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson wants to return in 2018, Person writes. Johnson, 32 in July, has spent his entire 11-year career in Carolina. Last offseason, the Panthers re-upped him on a two-year, $8MM deal that is scheduled to take him through 2018. However, his recent PED suspension absolves the team of any remaining guarantees.
- Linebacker Thomas Davis knows he may have to accept a reduced role next season, but did not say he would just accept being a backup, Person writes. Davis has a one-year, $6.75MM deal for the 2018 season, but just $1MM of that sum is guaranteed.
Panthers Not Planning To Ax Mike Shula
Steve Wilks has set up three interviews for this week. The Giants will receive the first opportunity to meet with the Panthers’ DC, with ESPN.com’s Josina Anderson reporting (on Twitter) Wilks will trek to New Jersey to meet with the Dave Gettleman-led group on Tuesday before flying to Arizona to meet with the Cardinals on Wednesday. Following those meetings, the Colts will host Wilks on Thursday, Mike Wells of ESPN.com tweets. These aren’t the only teams interested in securing a sitdown with Wilks. The Lions remain interested in doing so as well, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.
- Ron Rivera does not anticipate the Panthers making any staff changes beyond possibly replacing Wilks, David Newton of ESPN.com notes. This would mean OC Mike Shula is in line to return for a sixth season.
Panthers Eschew Concussion Protocol?
- Cam Newton left the Panthers-Saints game in the fourth quarter and staggered to the ground before reaching the sideline. He was evaluated in the team’s medical tent and did not go to the locker room. Under the post-Tom Savage-injury concussion protocol, the Panthers passer — since he indeed took a knee on the field after being hit by David Onyemata — would have needed to be examined in the locker room, per Dan Graziano and Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com (Twitter links). The Panthers said Newton was being looked at because of an eye injury, and David Newton of the Charlotte Observer said Carolina’s centerpiece was cleared of a concussion (Twitter link).