Panthers head coach Frank Reich has reclaimed the primary play-calling duties he handed to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown in October.
Reich said Wednesday returning to the role has nothing to do with his job status in Carolina (1-8) amid speculation the first-year Panthers coach could be fighting for his job.
“I have not been given any ultimatum,” Reich said of his job status factoring into the reverse of his play-calling decision last month. “This is about, if I have something to give to the team, then I need to give it. Thomas and I can do it together.”
No. 1 pick Bryce Young learned of the change on Wednesday.
“I believe wholeheartedly in the people in this building. There’s no excuse. We’re all pros. We’re all professionals,” Young said. “Me being the leader, we have to execute better. I have to execute better. … We have what it takes. We haven’t shown that. We haven’t proven that.”
Reich reviewed the play-calling role and decided to give Brown the reins the day after the Panthers fell to 0-6 with a 42-21 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Following a bye week and with Brown directing the offense, Carolina totaled three offensive touchdowns with 41 points combined in three games, beating the Texans (15-13) and losing to the Colts (27-13) and Bears (16-13).
“Obviously I was doing it earlier and didn’t have the success to the point that this has nothing to do with Thomas,” Reich said.
Young’s development remains a focus of the offensive staff and Reich. He has eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games.
“There’s no lack of faith in the coaching staff. There’s no lack of faith in the personnel,” Young said. “I have all the faith in the world we have what we need in our building.”
Reich said Young continues to make “good plays in the clutch to keep us in it,” including last Thursday at Chicago when he converted two fourth downs in a final drive comeback bid.
Young’s next task is holding his own on Sunday against the visiting Dallas Cowboys (6-3), who have 26 sacks and 10 interceptions with three pick-sixes this season.
–Field Level Media
