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

Matt Rhule has helped build an impressive Carolina Panthers defense

Offensively Matt Rhule has done little to answer questions about his coaching ability or whether or not he can build a football team. Defensively, however, it is a different story for a unit that plays hard and can rush the quarterback.

The Carolina Panthers have a great pass rush and solid pieces in a secondary, which will only get stronger in 2022 once Jaycee Horn returns from injury.

With Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback this season it isn’t a stretch to think the Panthers would have been wildcard contenders late into the year. The 2021 defense improved and was a competent signal-caller away from a playoff appearance.

Among all of the red flags and concerns, the Panthers defense is likely what has allowed Rhule to keep his job and take another shot next season. Seemingly every move Carolina made defensively worked and hopefully, the core will return next season.

With a draft class and free agency potentially improving the defense further, it will be interesting to watch how Rhule attempts to improve what has carried Carolina over the past two seasons.

Much will depend on how Horn pans out when he returns. But this could go a long way to determining the 2022 defense and Rhule’s future in Carolina.