The Carolina Panthers are in an interesting spot with free agency underway, needing to build on a promising foundation in an effort to return to playoff contention sooner than later.
Bryce Young and Dave Canales are an intriguing duo, though there are obvious holes on the roster that need to be addressed if the Panthers are serious about competing for an NFC South title within the next couple of years.
Canales' staff appears to have the franchise going in the right direction, though they just lost one trusted voice to a nearby college team after firing him on the heels of free agency.
Wake Forest is expected to hire former Carolina Panthers defensive assistant Bobby Maffei as a senior analyst, a source tells @CBSSports/@247Sports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) March 12, 2025
Worked for the Panthers the last three seasons. Previously worked at the college level for teams like Nebraska.… pic.twitter.com/IbuxdUkW9N
Recently Fired Panthers Coach Lands New Job in College Ranks
According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports and 247 Sports, Bobby Maffei is being hired by Wake Forest as a defensive assistant. He'd been with Carolina for three seasons, having previously served as a coach for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
It's not surprising to see Maffei land a nearby gig, particularly given his experience working at that level already. After being fired by the Panthers, he was an intriguing local name to watch and now gets the chance to prove his mettle under less pressure.
The Panthers have undergone limited coaching turnover during the offseason. Maffei is one of the bigger names to depart, and while he represents a loss, that in and of itself indicates a stable situation. Canales is one of the brightest young minds in the NFL and deserves the chance to patiently build out his vision, so the front office deserves praise for how it has handled these last couple of months despite a disappointing 2024 record.
Perhaps there will be space for Maffei to rejoin this team or another around the league down the line. For now, Panthers fans should wish him the best, particularly those nearby who cheer for the Demon Deacons as well.