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Now that we’re mainstream (or something close to it), we’re careful (or at least more careful) about trafficking in rumors. But when there’s a juicy rumor that is making the rounds in league circles, it’s hard to ignore it.

The latest isn’t a rumor as much as it’s a hunch by someone with close ties to the team Bill Cowher coached from 1992 through 2006. But it’s worth pointing it out, primarily because it’s very intriguing.

The source has a hunch (and, again, it’s just a hunch) that Cowher could be the next coach of the Panthers.

Cowher has previously been linked to the Panthers, primarily because he moved to North Carolina after resigning as coach of the Steelers. But now that he has been out of the game for six years, there’s a prevailing sense that Cowher is done coaching.

Still, he’s never publicly declared that he’s done. And with Panthers owner Jerry Richardson openly hoping to emulate the Rooneys, what better way than to hire Bill Cowher?

And now that Chan Gailey (the man Cowher endorsed to take over in Pittsburgh) now available to be hired, along with guys like Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm, it could be the best way to get the most out of Cam Newton.