On Wednesday morning, ESPN released an extensive report detailing the decline of the New England Patriots’ dynasty and Bill Belichick’s subsequent efforts to secure another head coaching position.
The report, authored by Don Van Natta Jr, Seth Wickersham, and Jeremy Fowler, explores Belichick’s interactions with multiple teams, including the Carolina Panthers.
The narrative primarily focuses on Belichick’s deteriorating relationship with Patriots owner Robert Kraft, but it’s Panthers owner David Tepper who also garnered significant attention.
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According to ESPN, Tepper has a habit of critiquing his coach’s play-calling based on data analysis. Last offseason, there was brief consideration of Belichick before he renewed his contract with New England. However, the Panthers eventually decided against pursuing him. A source mentioned that Tepper’s involvement in play-calling critiques would be “tough to do with Belichick as the figurehead,” leading Carolina to instead hire Dave Canales, the 42-year-old former offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Carolina Panthers briefly discussed Belichick, before he signed his two-year extension with New England a year ago. But this offseason, Carolina decided to pass, a source said. Panthers owner David Tepper often sifts through data to critique his coach’s playcalling. That, according to a source, “is tough to do with Belichick as the figurehead.” The Panthers opted for 42-year-old former Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Dave Canales.
Given Tepper’s track record—having cycled through six head coaches since acquiring the franchise in 2018—it remains to be seen how Canales will manage the challenges of working under such an owner.
Best of luck to Dave Canales.
