Panthers Hire AC Carter As New OLB Coach

The Los Angeles Rams have become accustomed to losing several assistants on head coach Sean McVay’s coaching staff at the end of each season.

They already saw game management coordinator John Streicher leave for a job with the New England Patriots and could potentially lose more coaches in the weeks ahead.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers interviewed offensive assistant and pass game specialist Nate Scheelhaase, tight ends coach/pass game coordinator Nick Caley and quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone for their offensive coordinator vacancy.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, who recently hired former Rams offensive coordinator Liam Coen as their new head coach, also interviewed Scheelhaase for their offensive coordinator position.

The Jaguars additionally spoke to Rams assistant head coach and passing game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant about their defensive coordinator opening.

According to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, the Carolina Panthers are planning to hire Rams assistant defensive line coach AC Carter as their new outside linebackers coach:

The #Panthers plan to hire #Rams assistant DL coach AC Carter as their new OLB coach, per league sources.

Carter worked with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero as a quality control coach with the #Broncos in 2022.

— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) January 29, 2025

Carter just completed his second season with the Rams and oversaw a defensive line that was one of the best in the NFL. They were led by standout rookies Braden Fiske and Jared Verse, who have earned several accolades for their performance.

Prior to joining the Rams, Carter was a defensive quality control coach for the Denver Broncos in 2022. He will now lead a Panthers’ outside linebackers group that includes former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum, among others.

It marks a second consecutive offseason that the Rams lost one of their defensive line coaches. They saw Eric Henderson leave to become the USC Trojans’ co-defensive coordinator last year and replaced him with Giff Smith.

Rams’ Matthew Stafford planning to play in 2025

The Rams face several questions with their roster for the 2025 season, including whether or not Matthew Stafford will return as quarterback.

The 36-year-old said that he would take some time to think about his future and reportedly has decided to play for another season.

Stafford is due to make $27 million this year, but the Rams will likely have to agree to another revised contract.

Even if Stafford returns as expected, the Rams could still try to find their quarterback of the future in the 2025 NFL Draft.