NFC Notes: Cardinals, Packers, Panthers, Seahawks

January 12, 2018

Cardinals

Cardinals team president Michael Bidwell said Thursday that he isn’t looking to copy anyone when it comes to hiring their next head coach.

“I’m not trying to copycat anybody,” Bidwell during an appearance on the “Big Red Rage” radio show, via AzCardinals.com. “I’m trying to make the best decision for us to hire the next leader (and) head coach that will deliver championships to this team and this town.”

In total, the Cardinals have interviewed nine candidates including Cardinals DC James Bettcher, Vikings OC Pat Shurmur, Eagles QBs coach John DeFilippo, Eagles DC Jim Schwartz, Patriots DC Matt Patricia, Patriots LBs coach Brian Flores, Steelers OL coach Mike Munchak, Falcons STs coordinator Keith Armstrong and Panthers DC Steve Wilks.

Arizona is now prepared to begin second interviews with the finalists.

“It always feels like when you are hiring a senior leader like this, you have to go through a couple rounds of this, and somebody always separates themselves,” Bidwill said.

Packers

Tom Silverstein reports that the Packers are hiring former Giants DL coach Patrick Graham, possibly as their LBs coach.
Silverstein says that Graham is a highly regarded young coach who got a high recommendation from former Giants HC Ben McAdoo.

Panthers

David Newton of ESPN writes that while new Panthers OC Norv Turner value running backs, veteran Jonathan Stewart‘s future in Carolina is still “murky.”
Stewart will be 31 in March and is coming off of a season in which his productivity dropped off significantly. Beyond that, he stands to count $5.25 million against the Panthers’ 2018 cap and releasing him would free up $3.75 million of cap space.
Newton says that Christian McCaffrey in all likelihood will be the Panthers featured back in 2018, but they will need to find a solid complement. According to Newton, it’s possible the Panthers could completely overhaul their backfield in free agency and the draft.

Seahawks

Brady Henderson of ESPN lists Colts QBs coach Brian Schottenheimer, Eagles QBs coach John DeFilippo, Jets OC John Morton and former Panthers OC Mike Shula as potential candidates for the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator position.