Matt

Rhule

“Defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach” Steve Wilks will take over as interim coach. Essentially a dead man walking since late last season, Rhule did nothing to change his circumstances through his first 1-4 start to the 2022 season. Even in a bad year for offense, the Panthers have been a special brand of unwatchable, and seem to have zero coherent ideas about how to move the ball. Sunday saw the team resort to five “Shi Smith” targets. Baker Mayfield’s atrocious play is the biggest problem, of course, but it’s just a symptom of the larger issue of “offensive mind” Rhule having zero idea how he wants to generate points at the NFL level. He has gone after one quarterback scam after another. Likely already fueling up private jets for visits to places like Nebraska, 47-year-old Rhule will be back on NCAA sidelines next fall. As for the Panthers, it is time for supposedly analytics-minded owner David Tepper to get serious about bringing his franchise into the 21st century.

The Panthers have a 1-3 start under Rhule, who is facing three straight losing seasons, and are 11-26 since hiring Rhule in 2020. Another loss to the 49ers in Week 5 could add fuel to Rhule’s already hot seat. Firing Rhule in-season would give Carolina an early start at finding his replacement amid rumors the team plans to make a run at Sean Payton in 2023. Ex-Cardinals coach Steve Wilks would likely serve as the interim coach if Rhule is fired. The Panthers have been the league’s worst offense through the first four weeks, ranking last in the NFL in third-down percentage (26%) and total yards per game (263).

Deshaun Watson this week became the latest high-end quarterback to turn down the Panthers after a full year of all-out recruitment by Panthers owner David Tepper and the QB-desperate organization. Russell Wilson, meanwhile, did not waive his no-trade clause to come to Carolina, instead choosing Denver. In 2021, Matthew Stafford shunned the Panthers in favor of the Rams. Christian McCaffrey and D.J. Moore haven’t proven appealing enough for an elite QB to take a chance with the Panthers, and head coach Matt Rhule -- who will likely be gone after 2022 barring a drastic turnaround -- hasn’t had any success in luring big-name signal callers. That leaves the team with the hideous prospect of starting Sam Darnold again in 2022 if they don’t use their first-round pick (sixth overall) on a QB.

Reportedly unhappy and embarrassed by the team’s performance since Matt Rhule took over in 2020, owner David Tepper wants major changes in the team’s coaching staff (except for the top guy). Rhule has been told to hire a “rock star” offensive coordinator to save his job this offseason. So far, the Panthers have expressed interest in former Colts OC Pep Hamilton.

Glazer acknowledged reports that Rhule is safe, but the NFL’s most plugged-in reporter says it won’t be formal until Rhule formally replaces Joe Brady. Brady, of course, was as “rock star” as a rock star offensive coordinator hire could get, but it did not work amidst the Panthers’ quarterback musical chairs and confused directives from the head coach. Rhule became obsessed with establishing the run as Sam Darnold and Cam Newton foundered, but it was easier said than done with Christian McCaffrey injured and defenses not respecting the passing game. Ultimately, Rhule seems likely to get one more year, but he will need finesse in this week’s meetings with team brass.

It’s a body blow for a Panthers fanbase sick of Rhule’s underperorming and constant talk of his process at work while coaching one of the NFL’s worst teams. Carolina fans chanted “fire Rhule” during the team’s most recent home game; even fans at a recent Charlotte Hornets game chanted for Rhule’s firing. The Panthers have flailed back and forth in search of a franchise quarterback since Rhule was hired, and still have no answers under center (and a hefty bill for Sam Darnold’s services in 2022). Rhule, 46, is 10-22 as Carolina’s head coach. The Athletic’s Joseph Person in December reported Panthers owner David Tepper was “unhappy and embarrassed” by the team’s 2021 performance, and players were quoted anonymously criticizing Rhule’s nonstop micromanaging. An agent who represents several Carolina players told The Athletic there are Panthers players from Baylor and Temple -- Rhule’s former college teams -- who wouldn’t make an NFL roster anywhere else. Tepper is on record saying he hired Rhule in part because they dress alike and both men had experience as short-order cooks. The Panthers will wait until after the 2022 season to fire the former college coach.

Rhule, who has lost 21 of his 31 games as Carolina’s head coach, said this week that Tepper has “nothing but confidence about me and the future and moving forward.” Often citing “the process,” Rhule has preached patience with his underperforming Panthers, who have flailed wildly over the past year in search of a franchise quarterback. They inexplicably settled on Sam Darnold before the 2021 NFL Draft, only to see him flounder after a promising start to the season. Signing Darnold cost Joe Brady his job as the team’s offensive coordinator. After Brady was fired in November, Rhule pledged to establish the run behind one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines. Panthers players have reportedly grown deeply skeptical of Rhule’s “process,” criticizing his micromanaging approach to coaching. “The proof’s in the pudding,” said one veteran personnel official. “The product on the field is bad.” An agent who represents several Carolina players told The Athletic there are Panthers players from Baylor and Temple -- Rhule’s former college teams -- who wouldn’t make an NFL roster anywhere else. Expect 2022 to be Rhule’s final year as Carolina’s head coach barring a miraculous turnaround.

Players and coaches were sent home Monday and Rhule said he hopes to resume Week 17 preparations on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should track Panthers news in the days before the team’s game against the Saints. A team-wide outbreak would create a difficult end to a difficult season for the woeful Panthers.

It’s always possible a catastrophic end to the 2021 season could change Carolina owner David Tepper’s calculus on whether to stick with Rhule for a third season. Person mentioned that Tepper “has shown he’s willing to cut his losses and paper over his mistakes.” Rhule’s first two years as Carolina’s head coach have been forgettable bordering on disastrous, as the team flails left and right searching for a viable quarterback. Rhule, who’s 10-20 since taking over as Carolina’s head coach, has five more years left on the seven-year, $62 million contract he signed in January 2020. The 2022 season would likely be Rhule’s last shot to show he can lead the fledging Carolina franchise for years to come.

In his first press conference since the firing of offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Rhule also mentioned running the ball more on multiple occasions. A Tweet from ESPN’s David Newton noted that Rhule wanted to run 30 or more times a game. Brady wasn’t coming close to that number and the Carolina offense has been lacking all year. Nixon was a co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach under Rhule at Baylor and followed him to Carolina. Even if it’s to the team’s detriment, expect the Panthers to try establishing their ground game as they come out of the bye to face Atlanta.