Former John Fox assistants suddenly have some leverage

Some coaches the Carolina Panthers were looking to retain from John Fox’s staff are suddenly in demand.

After Fox was hired Thursday afternoon as the coach of the Denver Broncos, he reached out to assistants that had worked under him in Carolina, according to Darin Gantt of the Charlotte Observer.

Fox reportedly called offensive line coach Dave Magazu, wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert, linebackers coach Richard Smith and special teams coach Jeff Rodgers. Magazu and Tolbert are coaches that were already approached by new Panthers coach Ron Rivera about remaining onboard. Gantt speculated that more assistants could be approached by Fox.

It will be interesting to see what happens in a game of high-stakes musical chairs.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune