Is Matt Rhule status as Carolina Panthers head coach still undecided?

Could the future of Matt Rhule in 2022 still be undecided as Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper weighs up his options?

All signs point to Matt Rhule remaining head coach of the Carolina Panthers in 2022. There was nothing to suggest something was in the pipeline regarding his potential departure during Monday’s exit interviews despite a cataclysmic run of results following a 3-0 start, with the former Baylor man focusing on the future rather than dwelling on the immediate past.

This seemed to be a sentiment echoed by general manager Scott Fitterer, for the most part. But when it comes to the crunch, there is only one man that can resolve this ongoing speculation.

Someone we have yet to hear from.

Team owner David Tepper has been noticeably silent throughout 2021. Something that is completely out of character since the billionaire purchased the organization from Jerry Richardson.

Perhaps this is down to an embarrassing stretch of results that shows little to no progress has been made in the second year of Rhule’s tenure. But the time for silence is now at an end for good or bad.

Most fans have had enough of Rhule and his constant mismanagement during games and in terms of recruitment. Although most respected reporters suggest he’ll be around next season, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports indicated that it might not be a guarantee.

Carolina Panthers have yet to confirm Matt Rhule’s retention.

Glazer stated that Rhule needs to present a “rock star” offensive coordinator to Tepper in order to save his job. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk brought into question whether such a task was feasible.

"Rock stars have options, and few will want to hitch their wagon to a sinking ship. Think of the pressure that will be on an offensive coordinator on whose shoulders the fate of the entire coaching staff rests. It also becomes a potential stew of dysfunction for the Panthers in 2022, if Rhule hires a great offensive coordinator. If the team struggles, the rock-star O.C. becomes the potentially obvious in-season replacement for Rhule."

At the end of the day, until Tepper comes out with a formal statement or holds a press conference outlining his faith in Rhule, then people will draw their own conclusions. It’s not hard to see why the billionaire could be exploring all possible options, but admitting a grave mistake with his first hire is going to be difficult.

Tepper seems fine with leaving things up to interpretation right now. Something that is alienating the Panthers fanbase further after such a disastrous season.

Making the decision to keep Rhule around may not be universally approved. But at least have the courage to come out and say it.

Tepper didn’t accumulate his vast wealth by not going against the grain if he felt it was right. Rhule will likely be on a short leash if retained, but the sooner something concrete emerges from the owner and the team, the better.

Waiting around or deliberating too long wouldn’t be wise.

Firing offensive line coach Pat Meyer, special teams coach Chase Blackburn and defensive line coach Frank Okam is the biggest indicator yet Rhule is staying on. So just why Tepper hasn’t confirmed this to the public is unclear.

He doesn’t have to, obviously. Especially as Rhule is approaching the halfway point of his seven-year, $62 million deal that was offered to keep him from joining the New York Giants.

But considering the current state of affairs, it would be wise.