When Frank Reich was hired on to take the head coaching reins for the Carolina Panthers, the immediate thought for the offense was the former Indianapolis Colts head coach and ex-backup NFL quarterback having a say on the play-calling.
Yes, Reich is going to be the one who calls the offense. However, one of his prized assistant additions is showing signs of being groomed to one day have control of the offense in Thomas Brown.
Thomas Brown Learned From Innovative Mind During Super Bowl Run
Brown, 37, was plucked away from the Los Angeles Rams to help comprise Reich’s staff. It was in L.A. where Brown learned to be a future offensive play-caller and Super Bowl champ while working under Sean McVay.
Brown was there when the confetti fell on Feb. 13, 2022, when the Rams held off the Cincinnati Bengals to win Super Bowl 56. Before getting there, he had to find a way to get the Rams to navigate through the setback of losing their RB1 on the eve of training camp.
Cam Akers went down with a torn Achilles. Sony Michel was lured in via trade. And then there was a period when the Rams lost three in a row — sparking questions if the team had the mettle for a title run. Los Angeles went on to win nine of their last 10 afterward.
Brown’s ability to interact with players and keep them motivated during that streak made him popular inside the “Rams House.” The following year, despite the 5-12 downfall, Brown was additionally credited for helping reignite Akers following a brief absence from the team over what was considered personal issues.
Brown’s knack for winning over personalities made him a rising name in head coaching circles over the past two offseason periods. Reich, though, ends up luring a big fish from the assistant realm.
Is Brown a Future Play-Caller in the Making?
While Reich is likely to have a handle on relaying plays over to rookie quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young, Reich told the Charlotte media Monday that in due time, he sees himself bequeathing the play-calling to Brown.
“I made no bones about it since I’ve been here — I eventually wanna make that transition,” Reich said. “I think I’ve said this before, but . . . first of all, whether I’m callin’ it or he’s callin’, it’s very collaborative. When he’s callin’ it, he’s talkin’ to us. When I’m callin’ it, I’m saying, ‘Thomas, what do you think about this?’ Or Parks [Frazier]. That’s just the way we approach it. And you don’t ask those questions on every play, but multiple times during the game.”
Turns out, Reich has allowed Brown to call the offense already — during the second half of both preseason games. Against the New York Giants in the 21-19 loss last Friday, Brown’s decision-making via the headset got the Panthers to go from just three points in the first half to scoring two touchdowns and outscoring the Giants 16-0 in the second.
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“The long-term goal and vision is for me to transfer those duties to him,” Reich said. “And I will say this — he’s way ahead . . . not in the production that we’ve had, because it’s been good, and he’s done a good job in, I think, sequencing plays.”
Sounds like Brown is mixing what he learned from McVay with what he’s gained from Reich. The end result is Brown being a future coach who calls the plays — and perhaps a future head coach before he turns 40.