After another loss in a season filled with underwhelming performances, the Panthers sit at 1-4. Questions about head coach Matt Rhule‘s job security will no doubt continue to be asked, though an answer could be coming very soon. 
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk tweets that “it’s a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if'” regarding Rhule being fired. He opines that owner David Tepper will make the move tomorrow (Twitter link). Doing so would come after a 37-15 loss to the 49ers, dropping his overall coaching record to 11-27.
Rhule’s seat was considered one of the hottest heading into the season, and the team’s performance to date has done little to quell talk of his job security. Just two weeks ago, however, it was reported that no coaching change was imminent. Since then, the team has lost two straight, struggling on offense in particular.
That has led to talk of miscommunication between Rhule and offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. The unit sat at the bottom of the league in yardage entering tonight’s contest, one in which they totaled 339 yards. An underwhelming defensive performance contributed to the San Francisco loss, though the Panthers have generally fared better on that side of the ball.
“I hope you guys can understand, I’m here to talk about the game,” Rhule said when speaking to the media. “I’ve always been very forthright with you guys. You know, I have nothing to say about [speculation on his future] now. I’m really just here to talk about the game. I would never want to make this about me.”
The acquisition of quarterback Baker Mayfield this offseason was thought to give Rhule the best offense to work with since his 2020 hire. The former No. 1 pick has struggled in his new home, however, and an injury has been added to his 2022 ails. Mayfield exited the game before Carolina’s final possession, and was seen after the contest in a walking boot (Twitter link via Joe Person of The Athletic).
Moving on from Rhule would come as little surprise for many around the football world, including PFR’s readers. It could lead to a veteran replacement either in the short- or long-term, leaving Rhule to potentially return to the college ranks where he made a name for himself. That could have an impact from a financial standpoint, as an NCAA program hiring Rhule could offset some of the cost he is still owed by Carolina from the seven-year, $62MM he is tied to.
That contract….. wow
To be fair to Rhule, the guy never had a viable quarterback and CMC was consistently hurt. Add that to a terrible o-line that he inherited and the offense was doomed to fail. At this point it would be worth to see what Matt Corral can do…oh wait he’s out for the year too. I’m not saying he’s a good NFL coach; because he certainly has not come close to proving that, but I think people need to realize that the personnel he’s working with is subpar. He’ll probably go back to college next year and turn around another struggling school.
Let me point to this year’s version of the NY Giants…that’s what a good coach can do with a roster.
That’s why I hate the term ‘rebuilding’ it allows the team to accept losing. Quality coaching, limited penalties and turnovers still win games.
I read somewhere that Brian has as many wins as Dan has in a season and change already in Detroit.
They hired a great defensive coordinator too
I wish my company would fire me and then pay me for 4 more years
Everyone is going to complain that he was never given a good QB to work with. That’s an easy target, but his play calling has been one dimensional and predictable, which is part of the reason he is finally getting the boot. Run up the middle on every first down? If a spectator like me can guess that, a well-oiled-machine like an NFL team can also… Good riddance
You can’t win in the NFL with envelopes of cash and strippers like college football, you have to actually be able to coach.
There have been far more successful coaches who walked into far worse situations.
CMC injuries?
As if he’s the only RB1 to go through them?
QB level?
Doesn’t Trent Dilfer have a SB Ring?
Rhule’s play calling is like a bad SNL skit and his tenure is somewhere between Ray Handly and Joe Gase
CMC is hurt too much to help the team.
Matt Rhule as a head coach is 11-27 (28.9%) when’s the last time a coach with this bad of a record held onto a job? Its clear he doesn’t know how to make adjustments in game. The offensive schemes were running are atrocious. They’re literally just in/out routes from tight bunch. by the time the receivers get open Mayfields running for his life or making an off balance throw because he has defenders in his back pocket and he’s not good under pressure
lets let him go, cut our losses, hopefully let him get a college job to offset the finances. Let Mcadoo go to, appoint Steve Wilks or Phil Snow the interim coach. Idek know the rules regarding in-season hiring, But request to interview Bienemy, Flores, Kellen Moore, Steichen, Demeco Ryans and Brian Callahan. Find a way to pry dave Clawson away from wake or (best-case) Alex Golesh from Tennessee to be our OC
The Panthers don’t have a good lineup.