Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule has lifted the lid on his first month in the job amid the coronavirus pandemic.
It has been a baptism of fire for Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule in his first month in the role.
The former Baylor shot caller has been housebound for the majority of his time in Charlotte due to the coronavirus pandemic. This has made communicating with players difficult and adjusting to life in a new environment incredibly testing.
Speaking to the Panthers website, Rhule said:
"“Obviously, we didn’t plan for our first month together here as a family in Charlotte to be like this, to be at home all the time. Trying to make sure we have dinner together, making sure we go for walks together — those are things that some families can do that as a football coach you don’t always have the time throughout the season to get those things done.”"
Rhule has not been able to get any time on the field with his players due to social distancing measures to prevent the spread of the virus. With OTAs set to be canceled by the NFL in due course, the head coach will be waiting longer to get down to business instead of planning from the comfort of his own home.
"“In terms of the players, that’s the part that’s really hard for me. You take over a team, you can’t wait to meet the players. I miss that part of it. But at the end of the day, the most important thing is that our players are safe. “Obviously, as a first-year head coach, you’d love to get started with your team, but that’s just not the way it is. And there’s no reason to be upset about it. We’re going to do the most that we can, most that we’re allowed to.”"
Matt Rhule on Cam Newton’s release
After releasing former NFL Most Valuable Player Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule is hoping he can succeed at another franchise.
After an injury-plagued 2019 campaign, Newton was let go by the franchise and is still searching for a new home in free agency.
Rhule outlined that the decision to part ways with the signal-caller was a difficult one. But hopes that he can go on and prolong his career in a new environment.
"“I think the world of Cam — as a person, and then everyone knows the type of player he’s been for many, many years. And I hope for his sake that he’ll find that success wherever he ends up.”"
Newton ended a prolific nine-year stint with the franchise on a sour note after playing just two games last season due to injury. His time with the franchise saw the quarterback record 29,041 passing yards, 182 touchdowns, and 108 interceptions.
He also rushed for 4,806 yards on a 5.1 yards-per-carry average, securing 58 touchdowns in the process. Newton was due to make $16.2 million in base salary in 2020 and his release relieved the Panthers of some much-needed cap space.
The writing was on the wall for the former No.1 overall pick out of Auburn the moment Carolina decided to swoop for hot free agent commodity Teddy Bridgewater. The timing of the departure was a strange one and has left Newton with few starting options elsewhere.
Matt Rhule on Teddy Bridgewater
The Carolina Panthers picked up their quarterback of the future in free agency with the acquisition of Teddy Bridgewater. The former New Orleans Saints backup went 5-0 in Drew Brees’ absence in 2019 and earned the right for a more prominent starting role elsewhere.
Bridgewater penned a three-year, $63 million contract with the Panthers. This included a signing bonus of $15 million and $33 million in guarantees. Head coach Matt Rhule is hoping the player’s relationship with offensive coordinator Joe Brady can play a leading role in a turnaround in fortunes for the organization.
"“Really as you’re sitting there in a time with no offseason, (Bridgewater) walks in Day 1, he knows the verbiage, he knows the concepts. You watch him on tape, he’s executing the plays that we’re going to run. So you feel really good about that. And then, throughout his career, he’s someone who makes everyone around him better. “I think he’s the perfect fit for us, for our offense, for where this team wants to go.”"
Bridgewater has come back from the brink after significant leg injury when he was the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. This threatened his career and even the use of his leg at one stage.
He has steadily grown in confidence and is sure to have received a huge boost in self-esteem during his unbeaten time under center for the Saints in 2019.
Matt Rhule on the 2020 NFL Draft
Matt Rhule likes what direction the Carolina Panthers are going in heading into the 2020 NFL Draft. The franchise has brought in some talent through free agency and the new head coach is keen to bolster his options further later this month.
After spending time at the helm of Baylor, Rhule knows the college game inside out and this is going to stand him in enormously good stead by the time the Panthers are on the clock.
The evaluation process has been a lot different this year due to social distancing measures. But Rhule is confident the information available is going to be enough to choose the right sort of prospects to aid the team going forward.
"“The tape is information, the Combine was information, the Senior Bowl was information. But also the connections that we have and the time that we’ve spent either facing or coaching a lot of these guys is information as well.”"
Carolina has eight selections later this month, with the draft set to take on a virtual theme thanks to the growing coronavirus concerns across the country. The Panthers are primed to take one of the best defensive players available with the No.7 pick and the class of 2020 is set to be one of the deepest in recent memory.
How the Panthers strengthen during the next few weeks will go a long way to determining whether or not they can be competitive in an ultra-competitive NFC South next season.