Panthers complete virtual interview with Texans' OC Bobby Slowik

The Carolina Panthers have completed a virtual interview with current Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, the team announced on Thursday. Carolina has spoken with nearly double-digit candidates, still searching for their next head coach. Slowik is going to be a popular candidate around the NFL and the Panthers are now in the mix.

As many others across the league do, Slowik comes from the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree. He spent six seasons with the 49ers and was the Offensive passing game coordinator during the 2022 season.

Slowik began his coaching career in Washington but left the franchise in 2013 to work in the media industry. Once Shanahan moved to the Bay Area, Slowik got back into football and started as a defensive analyst. He worked his way up through the years and had four different positions with the franchise.

DeMeco Ryans was hired by Houston after two seasons as the 49ers defensive coordinator. He brought Slowik with him to the Space City and in just one year, the Houston offense has exploded with rookie quarterback CJ Stroud.

As Slowik continues to have conversations with other teams, he will be a bit busy on Saturday. The Texans are in the AFC Divisional Round, going on the road to face off against the Baltimore Ravens. If they are able to escape victorious, it will mark the franchise’s first-ever AFC Championship game.

Carolina Panthers exploring offensive head coach options for Bryce Young

When Carolina took Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick out of Alabama, they thought bringing veteran head coach Frank Reich in would help the transition. Unfortunately, the Panthers wound up having one of the NFL’s worst offenses, finishing dead last in total yards and second to last in points scored.

Young struggled immensely as a rookie, throwing for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while completing under 60% of his throws. Just once did Young for over 300 yards in a game and has no touchdowns in eight different games.

Slowik was on the opposite side of the rookie spectrum, with Stroud likely winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Stroud threw for over 4,000 yards and led the NFL in touchdown to interception ratio at 23:5.

Folks in Carolina would love for Young to put up that kind of production and believe a change in offensive scheme could help the cause. Slowik could be a great fit and would be just the latest Shanahan disciple to get hired as a head coach.