5 worst contracts on the Carolina Panthers in 2022
By Dean Jones
What are the worst contracts on the Carolina Panthers as they get set for a crucial 2022 season that will come with big-time ramifications?
The Carolina Panthers have some big upcoming decisions this offseason as they gear up for one of the most important preparation periods in franchise history. Another five-win season that became an indictment on the current regime left almost no cause for optimism moving forward, although team owner David Tepper is prepared to ride it out and see if things can be turned around in 2022.
This represents a problem considering the Panthers have just $24 million in salary-cap space remaining and don’t have a Day 2 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, either. Not exactly a solid foundation for an organization that was meant to be in rebuilding mode over the last two years.
Just where Carolina goes from here has yet to be determined. But the conclusions made between now and then competitive action resumes will undoubtedly make all the difference one way or another.
Without further ado, we took a look at the current state of affairs and picked out Carolina’s five worst contracts in 2022.
Contract No. 1
Matt Rhule – Carolina Panthers HC
- 5 years remaining on 7-year, $62 million deal
According to a report from Joe Person of The Athletic, sources claimed that David Tepper was embarrassed by the contract given to head coach Matt Rhule to keep him from joining the New York Giants. However, this hasn’t come with the billionaire admitting his mistake in public or removing the former Baylor man from the equation just yet.
Rhule is a man under fire. And with five years remaining on his $62 million deal, being part of the Carolina Panthers for the duration of his contract seems unrealistic right now.
It’s going to take a substantial turnaround to alter the current perceptions surrounding Rhule, who seems incapable of making the correct adjustments during games and also has trouble properly evaluating talent at the pro level.
This could have been a major error in Tepper’s first head coaching hire. But Rhule will get one last chance in 2022 barring a dramatic turn of events.