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Carolina Panthers: Ron Rivera knows seat is as hot as ever

By Danny Jaillet

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers looks on from the sidelines against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers looks on from the sidelines against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The Carolina Panthers coach has been very frank with the media.

The Carolina Panthers are in a bit of a rut right now. There is no doubt about that. As the losses keep mounting, so does the realization that jobs may be on the line. In listening to his press conferences over the past two days, I get the sense that Ron Rivera notices this as well.

Sunday’s 29-21 lost to Washington certainly wasn’t pretty. The Carolina Panthers looked bad in all phases of the game. Particularly on defense, they just could not get the job done. They allowed 248 rushing yards and 114 passing yards. 114 passing yards is certainly respectable. 248 rushing yards is not. The Carolina Panthers did not come to play defensively on Sunday. Giving up a 14-point lead was proof of that.

With this loss, Carolina now has lost four games in a row. The schedule does not get any easier from here on out. They face the Atlanta Falcons Atlanta. Although the Falcons are 3-9, playing in Atlanta is never an easy test. Then, they go on and face Seattle. The Seahawks are not an easy test either. With games against the Colts and Saints to end the season, the Panthers certainly have their work cut out for them.

One quote in particular from Rivera signaled to me that he may get the sense his time is nearing the end. We all know that owner David Tepper wants to win, and that would be expected of any owner. As a report from the Charlotte Observer noted on Monday, Rivera and Tepper have had honest dialogue over the past couple of weeks.

"“Mr. Tepper has been really fair, really honest, really open and I really appreciate his support on things,” Rivera said. “But again, this is football. Like I’ve told you folks before, I get it. I understand it. And all I can do is control what I can and we’ll continue to work hard, continue to practice hard and play hard.”"

To me, this quote sounds like he knows he has to perform over these final few games. The hot seat is as hot as ever for Rivera, and I hope for the sake of him and this team that they can win out over these final games. Their playoff hopes are already pretty slim, now they just need to focus on making the best of the remainder of the season.

Who knows, they may be his final games on the Carolina Panthers sideline.

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