CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- This is the time of the NFL season to start considering potential changes for teams that have fallen short of expectations, and the Carolina Panthers definitely fit the bill.

Listening to coach Ron Rivera gush about his time under Norv Turner at San Diego -- the Chargers play the Panthers (4-8) on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium -- sparked an interesting what-if thought.

What if Rivera decides to move on from offensive coordinator Mike Shula, whose offense has gone from No. 1 in scoring in 2015 to 15th this season? Sure, injuries to the offensive line have played a big role in that, but what if?

Or what if Rivera decides to give Shula another mind to draw from? Say, a consultant or adviser?

Turner is available.

The 64-year-old Turner left his job as offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 2. He said at the time that it was the hardest decision he’d ever made, but he felt he was “holding them from things all getting on the same page."

Turner later told ESPN he wanted to get back into coaching under the right circumstances.

“I just enjoy it too much," he said. “I really enjoy teaching the players."

Turner told ESPN he wants to go someplace where he has a chance to mold a young quarterback.

QB Cam Newton, 27, isn’t necessarily young. He’s also not old. And, as he’s shown this season with career-low numbers in several categories after an MVP season in 2015, he still has room to grow.

Remember, when Turner became the offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys before the 1991 season (through '93), he inherited third-year quarterback Troy Aikman. Aikman was named to his first of six Pro Bowls in '91 and won two Super Bowls under Turner.

Turner played a big role in the development of Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers into a five-time Pro Bowl selection during his time as head coach from 2007 to 2012.

Turner was born at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina. So maybe Carolina could be the right circumstance for him.

For the record, Rivera hasn’t hinted at such a possibility. Turner’s name came up on Friday only when Rivera was asked about his time with the Chargers (2007-10), which happened to be under Turner, then San Diego's head coach.

But it was obvious that Rivera has a ton of respect for Turner, who recommended Rivera for the Carolina job in 2011.

"He was terrific to work for," Rivera said. “He had a great, tremendous sense of family as well. He came to me one day and said, ‘Look, I know [your daughter] Courtney plays softball, she’s pitching a lot. Just get in there early and get your work done -- this is in the offseason -- and get out.'

“It kind of helped me keep things in perspective as a head coach. Football is very important, as is family, and we’ve got to make sure we keep those priorities correct."

As a defensive coach, Rivera learned a lot from Turner.

"He’s such a brilliant offensive mind," he said. "In talking with him, just listening to him, you can learn things."

Rivera went on to give several examples of things Turner taught him that made him better as a coordinator.

“Guys that don’t have strong arms will take an extra hitch step, so you’ve got to be ready to break on that first hitch," he said. “So just a lot of little things listening to him talk helped me.

“It was a very good learning experience. He was terrific for my career."

Rivera said he hasn’t talked to Turner, back living in San Diego, since he left the Vikings. Rivera doesn’t know whether Turner still has interest in coaching.

“He’s in his mid-60s and he’s done a great job coaching," Rivera said. “I know he loves the game of football. But right now, having been in Minnesota and his home is in San Diego, who knows. I don’t want to speculate."

That’s for others to do this time of the year.