5 candidates to replace Ron Rivera as Panthers head coach

2. Mike McCarthy, Former Packers Head Coach

As the offense stagnated due to a lack of creativity and his relationship with Aaron Rodgers deteriorated to a passive-aggressive point of no return, McCarthy was fired as Packers head coach before the 2018 season was even over. He was an immediate candidate for openings with the Browns and Jets, as he interviewed for multiple jobs, but he ultimately sat out this season when there wasn’t a fit (particularly with the Jets apparently).

As could be easily expected, McCarthy is preparing for a return to the NFL in 2020 by watching film and lining up potential staff. With a lack of hot coordinator candidates at this point in time, his Green Bay resume is likely to stand out among head coaching candidates in this year’s hiring cycle.

A year out of coaching has surely benefited McCarthy in a broad sense. It has also perhaps stretched his thinking about offensive schematics, as he has stayed attached to the game on some level from an outside perspective.

Carolina has a quarterback question to answer, be it retaining Newton, making Kyle Allen the starter or going another route for next year and beyond. McCarthy has some offensive acumen, and experience working with one of the best quarterbacks of this or any era. So he’s an easy fit for the Panthers, as they would look to reset rather than rebuild under a new head coach.