Early in the 2021 NFL season, Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady was one of the hot names discussed for every potential head coaching job next season.
The chances Brady is a head coach in the NFL next season took a hit on Sunday, as the young OC was fired by the Panthers. Tom Pelissero had it first from the NFL Network:
The #Panthers have fired OC Joe Brady.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 5, 2021
After getting off to a hot start this season, the Panthers have cooled off in recent weeks. Carolina began the season with three-straight wins, leading some to wonder if Brady had fixed both the offense and quarterback Sam Darnold. Since then? Carolina signed Cam Newton to try and fix the offense, but the Panthers have lost seven of nine game and the offense sputtered in last week’s loss to the Miami Dolphins.
With Brady fired, the Panthers will have Jeff Nixon, an offensive assistant, coordinate the offense:
Senior offensive assistant Jeff Nixon will coordinate the Carolina offense in conjunction with the remainder of the offensive coaching staff. https://t.co/qy9Yt3RM2H
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 5, 2021
As for Brady, this closes the book on his current tenure in the NFL and does raise questions about his future in the league. As Pelissero pointed out, Brady did have five head coaching interviews last hiring cycle;
Last January, Joe Brady had five NFL head coaching interviews. But the #Panthers have been one of the NFL's least-productive offenses two years in a row and there were signs Brady and Matt Rhule weren't on the same page. Big changes coming off the bye with Brady out.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 5, 2021
A potential landing spot? Back in Baton Rouge with the LSU Tigers. Prior to joining the Panthers, Brady served as their passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach, and he helped the Tigers win a National Championship in 2019. Incoming head coach Brian Kelly tried to lure Tommy Rees, his offensive coordinator at Notre Dame, to LSU alongside him, but Rees decided to stay in South Bend. Brady might look to return to campus alongside Kelly as the Tigers remake their coaching staff.
