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

Matt Rhule fumbled a great opportunity

Part of the reason many Carolina Panthers fans thought this team could contend for a wildcard in 2021 was due to an easy schedule. One that saw the Panthers playing the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, New York Giants, and the Washington Football Team.

All of those teams outside of Atlanta and New Orleans are still searching for an answer at quarterback and possess struggling defensive units. The Falcons have Matt Ryan but few receivers and even fewer pieces defensively.

New Orleans has a solid defense but is still searching for an answer at quarterback. Even with a marginal signal-caller, Carolina should have been more competitive this season when one looks at just how easy the schedule lined up.

Carolina played Atlanta and New Orleans twice and six other teams that appear to be in rebuild mode. Even if they only managed to split with their opponents, that is eight wins that this Carolina team had enough talent to come away with.

Instead, they limped to the finish and struggled to beat even the worst teams. The most egregious of all of these choices was a Week 7 loss at the Giants whose coach would go on to be fired.

It is hard to see Carolina having a schedule as favorable in 2022, leaving Matt Rhule with no margin for error after a 2021 season that saw the head coach fumble away a great opportunity.