Despite the Panthers’ underwhelming record in one-plus season under Matt Rhule, it sounds like the head coach will get another year to figure it all out. Per ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Panthers owner David Tepper intends to keep Rhule around for a third season. Of course, the writer cautions that plenty could change over the next five weeks.
The Panthers are 5-7 on the year, giving Rhule a combined record of 10-18 across the last two seasons. Things haven’t gone according to plan for Rhule, but it sounds like the organization will give him some additional time to figure it out. The Panthers have dealt with inconsistent QB play over the past two years, and the team was hit hard by injuries in 2021 (including an injury to their best player, Christian McCaffrey). NFL teams took notice of Baylor’s quick turnaround from the Art Briles era when Rhule was at the helm, and it sounds like the Panthers are still hoping their HC can guide a similar revival in Carolina.
While Rhule will likely get a commitment for the 2022 season, don’t be surprised if he’s given an extremely short leash. Graziano believes the HC will be one of the major names on the “hot seat” heading into the 2022 campaign.
Meanwhile, Graziano writes that the recent dismissal of offensive coordinator Joe Brady wasn’t all that surprising. The two coaches “didn’t have the best relationship,” and if you add in Carolina’s sputtering offense, the writing was clearly on the wall.
Is it him, Brady, or the lack of talent? He’s at most the 2nd biggest issue in that group, if not the smallest of the three.
Honestly, I think ownership might be the problem. Rhule hasn’t impressed me, but last year seemed at the time like it should have been a rebuilding year instead of committing so much money to such a low-ceiling QB in Bridgewater. And then to quickly give up on him and commit more resources to Sam Darnold. Seems like it might be the work of itchy ownership. I haven’t seen any indication that Rhule is a great coach at the NFL level, but Sam Darnold and a bad offensive line isn’t putting him in a position to succeed.
Should have kept Bridgewater. Darnold was a disaster waiting to happen.
Only 3 years of tape to prove that!
Matt will continue to RUHLE Panthers on the field in 2022!
The team was winning when the star back was healthy . Now he not the team went down hill and Sam can’t do much to carry them. I’ll say it more a talent thing than a coach thing
Or did they open with a three game winning streak against two absolutely dreadful teams and one team that hadn’t been able to practice at home in weeks? I don’t think McCaffrey is the reason they won.
Rhule doesn’t care, his 7 year contract is guaranteed! He’ll grab another job back in college likewise.
The owner came from Pittsburgh. I don’t know if he just expected things would immediately turn around but he’s been chasing quick success since day 1. He just doesn’t seem to have any patience