Carolina Panthers Ron Rivera ‘not worried’ after loss
Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera ‘not worried’ after loss, but he should be…
The Carolina Panthers lost their seventh game on Sunday to a Washington Redskins team that previously had only two wins. After scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions, the Panthers looked stagnant and confused giving up 29 unanswered points until late in the fourth quarter.
Carolina finally managed another touchdown, pulling within one score and even recovered an onside kick but quarterback Kyle Allen failed to get a pass off and fumbled the football while retreating during the Panthers final possession. Washington took a knee, handing the Panthers their fourth consecutive loss and reminding fans of the second-half collapse one year ago.
Losing seven straight after starting 6-2 in 2018, the Panthers were 5-3 at the midpoint this season but have struggled to find the win column since. Currently sitting at 5-7, the possibility Carolina could finish 5-11 or 6-10 is becoming all too real. With games remaining against Atlanta, Indianapolis, Seattle and New Orleans, Sunday presented the best opportunity for a win and it didn’t come.
More from Cat Crave
- Ranking the top-five QB prospects the Panthers could draft in 2023
- 4 remaining Carolina Panthers cap crunches after Damien Wilson release
- Could Duce Staley help Carolina Panthers land Jamaal Williams in 2023?
- How much could the Carolina Panthers afford to offer Lamar Jackson?
- 4 Panthers rumors to emerge from 2023 NFL Scouting Combine
Coach Ron Rivera said he is “not worried about [his] future” afterwards but with such uncertainty ahead and the losses piling up – he should be feeling the pressure. Standing cross-armed along the sideline without any expression for much of the game there is little doubt that Rivera isn’t feeling the heat.
On the verge of suffering back-to-back losing seasons, second-year owner David Tepper may elect to make a change. While doubtful Rivera is removed in season, it appears his time in Carolina is coming to an end.
While the Panthers have enjoyed a fair amount of success during his tenure, Sunday’s loss could be the nail in Rivera’s proverbial coffin. While true that Carolina has failed to register consecutive winning seasons under Rivera or in franchise history, this would also only be his first two losing seasons since 2011-12, which could warrant another opportunity.
Next. Setback Reveals Shortcomings. dark
It’s up for Tepper to decide but even those who support Rivera would have a hard time arguing to keep him if the Panthers don’t register any more wins this year.