When the Carolina Panthers season ended after a wild card loss to the New Orleans Saints, coach Ron Rivera addressed the media in regards to the future of his coaching staff. Believing first-year defensive coordinator Steve Wilks had earned the opportunity to lead his own team, Rivera stated there would be no other changes than someone taking a position elsewhere. Obviously with Wilks in mind, Rivera was laying the groundwork for his departure.
Wilks interviewed with numerous teams who had vacancies at the top but almost daily it seemed he was being passed up for other candidates.