5 Carolina Panthers who have held the team back in 2021

Matt Rhule – Carolina Panthers HC

The NFL is a results business and talk of the process working for the Carolina Panthers is moot when another five-win season is starting them in the face. This would be the third successive year they’ve finished with the same total, but the winning percentage is obviously worse with a 17-game campaign for the first time.

Not only this, but the Panthers would make NFL history by achieving the worst record following a 3-0 start. The blame game has well and truly begun for head coach Matt Rhule, but at some stage, he will also have to carry the can for what’s transpiring.

Rhule came into the pros with a big reputation for building up struggling college problems. David Tepper was absolutely convinced he was the right guy, giving him a seven-year, $60 million deal to keep the coach from taking over at the New York Giants.

This appears to be a lack of judgment right now. But it could still change if the team owner gives Rhule another shot in 2022.

Fixing some bad personnel decisions across the offensive line and at quarterback is a necessity. But based on Rhule getting the final say on these questionable moves, whether he can be trusted with another offseason is the big question.

Cutting ties with Rhule and starting afresh might not be in Tepper’s thoughts, according to multiple reports. However, current players, former players, analysts, and fans are clearly of the belief the billionaire is just delaying the inevitable.