I don't doubt it but that's a pretty big fall from grace. HC to position coach in less than a year. I think he gets a shot next year as a DC somewhere if he wants it.
He may well get on as a DC, the Panthers are a good landing spot for him they are a divisional foe and were last across the board in defense (except for passing and red zone they finished 23rd and 29th).
The broncos dominate on defense already and it will be telling if SP finds a spot for him, they weren’t in the top 10 in pass defense and that is DA’s bread and butter. I am curious to know just how serious Payton was about wanting to come back after his year off. If that was his intent perhaps DA not stepping aside caused some friction in their relationship.