5 critical observations from Panthers HC Matt Rhule’s 2021 season

Matt Rhule played the blame game

Whether it was firing his offensive coordinator or throwing whomever his quarterback was under the bus after a loss, Matt Rhule had no problem displacing blame this season. This isn’t to say the former Baylor man didn’t acknowledge his need to improve, but he spent a lot of time passing the buck and questioning those around him amidst the mess he had built.

Joe Brady didn’t do his job all that well this season, there is no denying that fact. There is also no hiding from the fact that the timing of his firing was poor and speaks to the issues within the Carolina Panthers after he was let go midway through the bye week.

Sam Darnold’s play had regressed and the quarterback was dealing with a serious injury leaving Cam Newton as Carolina’s starter. This was the time that Rhule chose to part ways with his offensive coordinator as his new signal-caller attempted to learn the playbook.

Not exactly a recipe for success.

Changing quarterbacks and offensive coordinators within the same two weeks speaks to the poor decisions that were on full display this season.

Brady was Rhule’s hire just as this roster was one that the head coach helped to build. Firing the ex-LSU passing game coordinator and blaming his signal-callers only circled the blame back to where it belongs in the first place, on Rhule himself.