5 things Carolina Panthers HC Matt Rhule must get right to save his job

Matt Rhule must fix Carolina Panthers OL

If not the quarterback position, then the offensive line has been the biggest problem for Matt Rhule ahead of his third season with the Carolina Panthers. The only sure-fire member of the protection is right tackle Taylor Moton, but after that, it will be anyone’s guess of who occupies the rest of the positions in 2022.

Matt Paradis is finally a free agent, leaving the center spot open. And both guard spots were a disaster last year.

Then, of course, the left tackle spot has to be fixed, once and for all.

Rhule has already whiffed on not selecting stud left tackle Rashawn Slater in the draft last season. While last year’s third-round pick Brady Christensen showed promise, he might not be the answer and the Panthers appear reluctant to commit him to the blindside long-term.

The offensive line is arguably the most important position group in football. With the exception of the Cincinnati Bengals, if you have a bad line, your quarterback will have a hard time succeeding.

If Rhule can help build a solid protection scheme this offseason, whoever his quarterback is will have much more joy. It might also help running back Christian McCaffrey stay on the field for a lengthy period of time.