LSU Absolutely Cannot Let Panthers' Matt Rhule Steal Joe Brady

Could the architect of LSU's transformation into the must-watch aerial circus be on his way to the NFL to bring Cam Newton back to life? For the sake of every Bayou Bengals fan, the sincere hope is that the answer is no.

New Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule, formerly of the Baylor Bears, still hasn't hired an offensive coordinator for his new staff. And according to the latest buzz, he's eyeing LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady for that role.

The most persistent rumors during the week have held that former Texans and current Lions quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan, whom Rhule worked alongside with the Giants in 2012, was the top pick to run the offense in Carolina. As of this moment, however, nothing is official.

Brady, a former assistant with the New Orleans Saints, has been on the job in Baton Rouge for just one year, but turned Joe Burrow from an average SEC passer into a Heisman-winning quarterback and future No. 1 overall pick that is leading an undefeated LSU squad into Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship.

It's no surprise that Rhule would look to the college ranks to fill out his coaching staff, as Baylor defensive coordinator Phil Snow is expected to fill the same role on his new staff in Charlotte.

Brady is too talented an offensive mind to stick around as an assistant in Baton Rouge forever, and it's only a matter of time before an NFL coordinator job or potential college head coaching gig pries him away. In the meantime, Ed Orgeron and Co. needs to give Brady whatever he requests in order to placate him fully. Keeping him is a must if they want a chance to continue their world-beating ways in the years to come.