4 Carolina Panthers on the hot seat at 2021 midseason point
By Dean Jones
Matt Rhule – Carolina Panthers HC
The Carolina Panthers expected more from Matt Rhule when they prised him away from the college system on a seven-year, $60 million deal. Although there’s been some progress on defense and special teams in recent weeks, their schedule hasn’t been tough by any stretch and for the team to be sitting at 4-5 is unacceptable.
Rhule isn’t calling plays on either side of the football – at least not yet. So his poor in-game management of specific situations is even more of a frustration and something he needs to improve at the earliest possible opportunity.
Not only this, but Rhule also has the final say in personnel decisions. Another big factor in him turning down the New York Giants in favor of Carolina.
To say this hasn’t gone well would be a huge understatement. Especially on offense with a series of failed quarterbacks and an offensive line that wasn’t given the correct attention in free agency or the 2021 NFL Draft.
This was always going to be a project for Rhule. One that he perhaps underestimated before joining the organization.
However, don’t think for one second that a multi-million-dollar payoff will put a billionaire owner like David Tepper off making a change if he feels it’s needed.
The fanbase is losing faith in Rhule from a coaching and talent evaluation standpoint. But wins might be hard to come by over the second half of the campaign.