Carolina Panthers Next Head Coach Odds Include Payton, Quinn and Moore as Favorites

• Sean Payton is the betting favorite to land the Carolina Panthers vacant head coaching gig
• Matt Rhule was fired after an 11-27 mark in less than three seasons
• Read below for odds, analysis and our betting favorite

If your bingo card had Matt Rhule in Week 5, congratulations.

The Carolina Panthers axed their head coach after getting pounded by the San Francisco 49ers 37-15, dropping the team to 1-4 on the year.

His run lasted just a little over two years, where Carolina made little headway into league prominence.

With defensive pass game coordinator Steve Wilks taking over on an interim basis, owner David Tepper’s next coaching hire is now front and center.

Not surprisingly, the favorite happens to be one of the most accomplished head coaches in recent NFL history.

Next Carolina Panthers Head Coach Odds

*SBD odds as of October 10th. These odds are for entertainment purposes only

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Rhule Struggled To Win Games

Rhule’s undoing coincides with the fact the Panthers failed to deliver a franchise quarterback to aid their new head coach, who inked a seven-year, $62 million contract in January 2020.

Baker Mayfield has struggled badly in his first season, replacing Sam Darnold from a year ago, who also struggled. The other pivots that took snaps during this timeframe included an underperforming Teddy Bridgewater, a washed-up Cam Newton and PJ Walker.

The Panthers have parted ways with head coach Matt Rhule, the team announced.

He was 11-27 during his three seasons in Carolina. pic.twitter.com/pN3ULsPixQ

— ESPN (@espn) October 10, 2022

The results weren’t pretty. The Panthers ranked 30th in total QBR, 29th in offensive efficiency, 29th in yards per game, while putting up just 19.7 points per game, ranking 27th.

The stat that was most telling was Carolina’s brutal 1-27 mark when allowing 17 or more points, including a current run of 25 straight losses.

Candidates To Consider

The candidate that should be top of all coaching carousels should be Sean Payton.

Payton left the Saints at the end of the 2021 season to take a year off. His resume includes a Super Bowl title with New Orleans in 2009, and he’s very familiar with the division, having worked inside the NFC South since 2006. His NOLA record is an incredible 152-89-0.

Would be a good thing for Saints if Panthers eventually show interest in Sean Payton (and Payton doesn't slam the door shut on the idea).

A bidding war for Payton is the best way for Saints to get premium value in a draft-pick trade. Becomes harder if it's only one team. https://t.co/DixK8IjSo8

— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) October 10, 2022

It’s not often such an accomplished coach is available, and the price will be steep, but the question will be if he’s willing to take over a team that doesn’t have even a potential franchise pivot. Of course, Payton took an unproven free agent to start his tenure in the Big Easy, and Drew Brees turned out pretty good for him.

Not surprisingly, a couple of Cowboys’ coordinators are in the mix too. Dan Quinn has Dallas’ defense playing at an elite level, and he’s been a head coach in the South with Atlanta, from 2015 to 2020.

Kellen Moore has had the #1 offense in the NFL multiple times.

Has never been below top 5.

Is currently 4-1 with a backup QB.

And gets nothing but hate 🤯

Cowboys fans are the worst and deserve 30 more years of pain once he leaves.

— Chase Baker (@chasebaker91) October 10, 2022

It’s more likely, however, that the Panthers would target Dallas offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, more now after a great run to start this season. With backup Cooper Rush at the helm, Moore has put together fantastic game plans to keep their offense productive, while letting their defense do the heavy lifting.

Another young offensive mind worth considering is Shane Steichen, the current offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, who happen to be the last undefeated team in the NFL.

Bring Ken Dorsey down to Charlotte and let him build a brand new offense

— Tate Frazier (@tatefrazier) October 9, 2022

His ability to cater a game plan to Jalen Hurts’ strengths has launched the Eagles’ offense to contender status. If Carolina decides they’re not taking a QB with their top pick, Steichen might be able to make the most of whoever it is they do draft.

If you’re looking for a long shot, Ken Dorsey has cut his teeth as a QB coach and current Bills offensive coordinator. Buffalo hasn’t skipped a beat without previous OC Brian Daboll, who’s making waves with the Giants, but the gamble is if he can do it without Josh Allen.

Panthers’ Head Coach Best Bet

This early axing gives Carolina time to do their homework and make the best decision for their franchise going forward. This is a team that was a Super Bowl finalist in 2015, but have come nowhere near those heights since.

Tepper’s choice to fire Rhule less than three years into a six-year plan means results will be expected early and often from whoever comes next.

If he’s willing to open up the purse strings, Payton should be soon calling the shots in Carolina.

Pick: Sean Payton (+155)