Panthers balance sheet: Offense in the black after major QB move
By Dean Jones
The coaching influence
Not only must the Carolina Panthers players show growth in Year 2 under Matt Rhule. But the same applies to a coaching staff that had no experience in major leadership positions prior to 2020.
This came with some obvious growing pains particularly in key moments that ended up costing Carolina. That did not stop offensive coordinator Joe Brady from getting plenty of head coaching interest this offseason, even though he wasn’t able to tie down a top job after a bunch of interviews.
Brady is young enough to change that next year. If he can learn from his errors last season and put together a scheme that turns Sam Darnold’s career around, and he will be a head coach in 2022.
The Panthers should make the most of Brady while they can. Rhule was no doubt fully aware that he’d be a prime candidate for a promotion sooner rather than later, so getting his team behind their offensive play-caller before he moves on is going to be pivotal.
Rhule himself also got a baptism of fire in difficult circumstances last season.
The former Baylor man gained a tremendous amount of respect for the way he coped with such adversity amid COIFD-19 restrictions. Although there is more at stake in 2021, there appears little to suggest he wasn’t the right man for the job.
Having two progressive young minds has the scope to benefit the Panthers. But adjustments need to be made in pursuit of progression.