Loved Ex-Panthers Coach May Land With NFC South Rival After Latest News

The Carolina Panthers enter the 2025 offseason with some excitement. Under Dave Canales's first season with Carolina, they went 5-12, winning two of their last three games.

On Wednesday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Steve Wilks is interviewing for their vacant DC position.

Panthers News: Steve Wilks Interviews for Atlanta Falcons DC Role

Wilks has been in the NFL since 2005. He's had stops with the Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, and Panthers. During his tenure in Carolina, Wilks held roles as a defensive backs coach, Assistant head coach, and defensive coordinator before becoming the interim coach in 2022.

Matt Rhule was fired by the team in October 2022, and Wilks took over. He led the team to a 6-6 record over the final 12 games but Carolina decided to go with Frank Reich as the head coach following the season.

That didn't bode well among the fanbase with many fans wanting Wilks to return. After that stint with the Panthers, he became the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in 2023. He had that unit eighth in total defense (303.9) and third in scoring defense (17.5). Wilks is a good defensive mind and could end up landing in the NFC South.

The Falcons defense was one of the worst units in the league. In 2024, they were 23rd in total defense (345.2) and scoring defense (24.9) but 22nd in pass defense (224.5).

After the season, the Falcons parted ways with Jimmy Lake and the Panthers played a big role in that. In Week 18, Carolina beat Atlanta 44-38 in overtime. They finished with 425 total offense, and Bryce Young was lights out. He went 25-of-34 for 251 yards and three passing touchdowns.

Whether Wilks is the guy remains to be seen. He has experience in the NFC South and could face off against his former team twice if he lands with Atlanta.

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