5 things Carolina Panthers HC Matt Rhule must get right to save his job
By Jason Huber
Matt Rhule must get things right at QB
Arguably Matt Rhule’s biggest flaw since arriving with the Carolina Panthers is not having a reliable quarterback.
Rhule handpicked Teddy Bridgewater in free agency during his first offseason and after basically admitting that was a failure, he was a part of the decision-makers to trade for former No. 3 overall selection Sam Darnold last spring.
Not only did Rhule and the Panthers trade for Darnold. But they picked up his fifth-year option for $18.85 million fully guaranteed before he played a single snap for the team.
Darnold played extremely poorly this season and now, no matter what Carolina decides to do at quarterback this offseason, they are stuck with this whopping salary for a player that simply isn’t up to the required standard.
If Rhule sticks with Darnold at quarterback, chances are he won’t last through the season. At this point, the player just doesn’t seem like the answer and the head coach should look for yet another starting signal-caller – his third in as many offseasons.
There aren’t any realistic options in free agency. For Rhule to get this one right, the team either has to swing a big trade or hit in the draft.
Malik Willis and Kenny Pickett are the most likely draft options at No. 6, and Rhule can’t mess it up if that’s the direction Carolina goes.