Report: Panthers interview Jay Gruden, Ben McAdoo for offensive coordinator job

The Panthers appear to be pursuing an experienced figure for their open offensive coordinator position.

Carolina interviewed former Washington head coach Jay Gruden and former Giants head coach Ben McAdoo for the job on Tuesday, according to Joe Person of The Athletic.

After beginning his coaching career in the Arena Football League, in which he also used to play as a quarterback, Gruden first made it to the NFL ranks in 2002 as an offensive assistant with the Buccaneers. He held the job for seven years until he returned to the AFL.

After a stint in the United Football League, Gruden was brought on as the Bengals' offensive coordinator in 2011. He served in that role for three seasons before being hired as Washington's head coach in 2014. Over six years in Washington, Gruden compiled a 35-49-1 record and made the playoffs once behind a breakout campaign by quarterback Kirk Cousins. 

He never experienced that success again though, and was eventually fired after an 0-5 start to the 2019 season. In 2020, Gruden was hired as the offensive coordinator for the Jaguars, but was fired after just one season along with the rest of the coaching staff. Jacksonville went 1-15 and ranked 27th in total offense under Gruden.

McAdoo began his career in the high school ranks before a brief stint in college prior to joining the NFL. He had one year stops with the Saints and 49ers before joining the Packers as tight end coach in 2006, where he'd stay until 2013 after being promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2012.

In 2014, McAdoo was named the Giants' offensive coordinator. After just two years, he was hired to be New York's head coach. He went 11-5 in his first season en route to a playoff appearance, but was fired after a 2-10 start to the following season.

McAdoo joined the Jaguars as quarterbacks coach in 2020, but was let go along with Gruden after one year. He spent the 2021 season as a consultant for the Cowboys.