Report: Panthers hiring Colts defensive line coach Mike Phair

Source confirms Colts D line coach Mike Phair is joining the Carolina Panthers staff. First reported by @FootballScoop. Colts will be looking for a replacement at a key spot.

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) January 13, 2020

According to a report by Stephen Holder at the Athletic, the Panthers are hiring Colts defensive line coach Mike Phair to fill the same position on Matt Rule’s staff.

Phair has a big pair of shoes to fill. Former Carolina defensive line coach Eric Washington is widely regarded as one of the best in the NFL. He was just hired by the Bills to lead their unit.

Phair apparently has a strong relationship with Phil Snow, who is expected to be the team’s new defensive coordinator.

For the record, this decision was driven mostly by Phair’s close relationship with new Carolina DC Phil Snow, I’m told. They go back many years.

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) January 13, 2020

Relationships will only get you so far in football, though. Phair will be judged based on what he gets out of a defensive line entering a transitional phase. The unit has good core players like Mario Addison and Gerald McCoy, but most of them are in the wrong side of 30 years old. Phair may have to oversee a rebuilding project centered around guys like 2019 first-round pick Brian Burns.