Greg Roman Quickly Becomes Favorite to Be Panthers Next Head Coach; Updated Odds for All Candidates

By Robert Duff in NFL Football
Updated: March 26, 2020 at 3:20 pm EDTPublished:

- Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman is the +300 favorite to be the next head coach of the Carolina Panthers
- When the line first opened on Wednesday, Roman was the sixth betting choice at +900
- Baltimore has the #2 total offense in the NFL and the #1 scoring offense
Is the Greg Roman empire soon to take over the Carolina Panthers? The odds have taken a significant swing in that direction.
In one day, Roman moved from a longshot to a solid favorite to be the next head coach of the Panthers.
After Carolina fired head coach Ron Rivera on Tuesday, odds on who would be the coach of the Panthers for Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season have been released.
In the opening line, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh was the +500 favorite. Roman was the sixth choice at +900.
A new line was issued Thursday. In these odds, Roman is now the solid +300 chalk.
Odds to Coach the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, 2020
Coach | Odds |
---|---|
Greg Roman | +300 |
Jason Garrett | +550 |
Robert Saleh | +700 |
Dan Quinn | +750 |
Jim Harbaugh | +750 |
Josh McDaniels | +800 |
David Shaw | +900 |
Mike McCarthy | +1200 |
Urban Meyer | +1200 |
Jay Gruden | +1400 |
Doug Marrone | +1600 |
Mike LaFleur | +1600 |
Marvin Lewis | +1800 |
Pat Shurmur | +1800 |
Doug Pederson | +2000 |
Bill Cowher | +2500 |
Odds taken Dec. 5
Saleh has dropped to the third choice at +700.
A Roman Hire Would Follow The Trend
There’s a reason why I touted heavily for Roman as the next coach of the Panthers when the first odds were issued on Wednesday.
Actually, there’s a few reasons.
First, today’s NFL rulebook is heavily skewed in favor of the offense. The days of three yards and a cloud of dust, and the theory that defense wins championships, are like leather helmets and high-top cleats – quaint notions but no longer relevant.
If Ron gets fired and Greg Roman ends up coming here, just imagine what he can do with Cam. pic.twitter.com/YadNe8vUBd
— Chasey ™️ 🥬 (@imchasey123) November 26, 2019
Someone needs to come to the defense of NFL defensive coordinators, because based upon their recent performance as NFL head coaches, they have none.
Here’s a list of the defensive coordinators who’ve been hired as NFL head coaches over the past two seasons – Matt Patricia (Detroit Lions), Steve Wilks (Arizona Cardinals), Mike Vrabel (Tennessee Titans), and Brian Flores (Miami Dolphins).
Not one of them has earned a postseason berth. Wilks was fired after one season on the job.
My bold prediction is Greg Roman lands the Panthers or Chargers HC job.
Blasphemy to think he could copy the current success, but he has now succeeded with 3 QBs that add value through the ground.
Both teams have such a QB in place, Jalen Hurts might be a potential draft target
— Timo Riske (@PFF_Moo) November 26, 2019
Now, here are the offensive coordinators who’ve earned promotion to NFL head coach during the same time period – Matt Nagy (Chicago Bears), Frank Reich (Indianapolis Colts), Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers), Freddie Kitchens (Cleveland Browns), Kliff Kingsbury (Cardinals) and Pat Shurmur (New York Giants).
No, not a perfect slate, but one that features two 2018 playoff appearances, and LaFleur is headed for a third postseason berth among this group in 2019.
Panthers And Roman: A Perfect Fit
Roman’s offensive scheme in Baltimore should fit Carolina like a glove. He’s designed the #2 total offense and #1 scoring offense around the unique double threat that is quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Previously, Roman also schemed the NFL’s top offense in San Francisco around Colin Kaepernick, another dual-threat at QB. In Buffalo, his offense got Tyrod Taylor to the Pro Bowl.
"It's incredibly valuable, I don't think you can quantify it."
OC Greg Roman on Lamar's recall and field vision: pic.twitter.com/AU0CYwzlvR
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 5, 2019
In football circles, Roman is viewed as the mobile-QB whisperer.
The Panthers are blessed with their own double threat at QB in Cam Newton. Assuming Carolina intends to keep 2015 NFL MVP Newton – the Panthers could cut him at a salary-cap savings of $19 million – it would appear that Roman’s play calling would look mighty fine with Newton under center.
https://twitter.com/JamesALight/status/1199430845326602242?s=20
Roman launched his NFL coaching career as a Panthers assistant from 1995-2001, so it would be a homecoming for him.
You should’ve bet Roman at +900. Don’t hesitate any longer.
Pick: Greg Roman (+300)

Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.