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David Newton, ESPN Staff Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers coach Frank Reich is taking back the playcalling for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys after giving the job to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown three games ago.
Reich made the decision after Carolina (1-8) scored only two touchdowns in the three games Brown called, including none in last Thursday’s 16-13 loss to the Chicago Bears.
“This is not about Thomas,” Reich said. “This is about me. It’s about the team.”
Reich added that the decision had nothing to do with him being told his job was on the line and wanting to be in control of his destiny.
“I’ve haven’t been given any ultimatum,” he said. “Do we want to be in control of our destiny? Of course. This is about if I have something that I can give to the team, I need to give it.
“Honestly, when I was calling it earlier, we didn’t have the success.”
Reich said the decision was about wanting to do everything he can to help rookie quarterback Bryce Young and an offense that ranks among the worst in the NFL.
“This should have zero impact on Thomas’ career,” Reich said. “Anyone that knows Thomas knows he’s brilliant. This will have little or no impact on Thomas’ long-term trajectory.”
Statistically, the Panthers were better under Reich during an 0-6 start. They averaged 18.6 points compared to only 13.6 the past three games with Brown, who was calling plays for the first time in his career as an NFL coach.
Young had a career-best 103.6 passer rating in Brown’s first game as the playcaller, leading Carolina to a last-second field goal for its first win, which came against the Houston Texans.
But Young’s combined passer rating the past two games was 58.3. He threw one touchdown to three interceptions.
Carolina’s air yards per attempt dropped from 6.3 in the first six games to 5.5 in the past three.
The rushing game also suffered. The Panthers averaged 4.1 yards per rush the first six games, compared to 3.3 the past three, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
Schematically, things were slightly different. Carolina lined up in the shotgun formation for 96% of the snaps with Brown calling plays, used motion 41% of the time and had max protection for Young 8% of the time.
Under Reich, Carolina lined up in shotgun on 87% of the snaps, used motion 35% of the time and featured max protection only 3% of the time.
Overall, Carolina ranks 29th in scoring (17.0 ppg) and 30th in yards per game (279.6).
Young said Reich talked to him and the team about the change and told them “it was what was best as a result of everything.”
“It’s just what’s best for the team,” Young said. “There’s no one that’s at fault, it was a call that Coach made and we have his back with it.”
Young said the flip-flop doesn’t affect him at all.
“It’s the same system,” he said. “It’s just you hear a different voice, but you’re calling the same plays. ”
Ultimately, Young and several teammates said it’s up to the players to execute no matter who is calling plays. That includes the offensive line, which got a lot of attention from Reich, general manager Scott Fitterer and assistant general manager Dan Morgan during the media portion of Wednesday’s practice.
There for sure will be a new left guard. Calvin Throckmorton went from starting seven games to waived. Rookie Chandler Zavala will get the start Sunday.
Young believes the Panthers still have the talent to succeed in the scheme they are running.
“I believe wholeheartedly in the people in this building and the people around me,” the top pick of the 2023 draft said. “This is the offense that I want to run. This is what I want to be a part of. There is no excuse. We’re all pros. We’ve been losing because we haven’t been executing.”
Reich said the decision to reclaim the playcalling was hard, “but when you’re the head coach you have to put the team first.”
“I understand what’s going to be said and how it may appear to some,” he added. “There’s nothing I can do about that. The whole process is pretty collaborative anyway. The way I look at it, in this league it’s a game of inches, it’s a game of small increments.
“If you can find a way to get 1% better here, 1% better there … what if my experience [can help?] — I just won’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t bring every ounce I can bring to bear these last eight games. So that’s where we’re at.”
