Does Matt Rhule deserve the chance to draft a QB in 2022?

There is plenty of talk surrounding the Carolina Panthers drafting a quarterback at No 6 overall, but does head coach Matt Rhule deserve such an opportunity?

Being in quarterback purgatory is not doing the Carolina Panthers any favors whatsoever. Two major decisions backfired on the organization after they initially released Cam Newton, with those in power even going back to the former NFL MVP in a last-ditch attempt to turn their fortunes around in 2021.

Newton brought accountability and a higher standard, which some were not originally bought into. This didn’t translate to any meaningful results on the field and it remains to be seen whether the Auburn product is extended or let go for a second time.

Making a big splash in the trade market is an obvious temptation. However, the Panthers can ill-afford another gamble not paying off after their acquisition of Sam Darnold didn’t go according to plan after a promising start.

This has piled enormous pressure on Matt Rhule, who has to get his house in order this offseason to remove himself from the head coaching hot seat. His position is a “lame duck” situation according to some across the league, but the NFC South should be a lot weaker next season and if the Panthers hit big in free agency, the draft, or the trade market, then they might just have a shot at contending for the divisional title.

Of course, going down the draft route is a risky business for someone who has his job on the line in 2022. Rhule is closely linked with Kenny Pickett – who is widely regarded as the most pro-ready prospect at the position this year – but taking him is seen as a major reach given the esteem, or lack thereof, this quarterback class is held at the present time.

One could also argue that Rhule does not necessarily deserve the chance to draft and develop a quarterback at this stage. It is something that could and should have been done much earlier, but instead, the Panthers decide to swing for the fences rather than start over in the immediate wake of Newton’s first departure.

Matt Rhule is running out of time with the Carolina Panthers

Time is a luxury Rhule doesn’t have.

Had he taken Mac Jones or Justin Fields at No. 8 overall last year, it might be a different story.

Drafting someone like Pickett or another top prospect such as Matt Corral or Malik Willis would give Rhule an excuse if things continue trending on a downward spiral on a tough-looking schedule in 2022. Again, this would not be all that deserving after a miserable three years in the role by this point.

Rhule and the Panthers made their bed.

Now they have to lie in it.

Again, if they hadn’t picked up Darnold’s fifth-year option before he’d even taken a competitive snap, this is a different scenario altogether. But what the Panthers cannot do is take a signal-caller this year, fire Rhule, and press the reset button at the position for a fourth-straight offseason next time around.

This whole situation is a complete mess caused by Rhule and others failing to accept this was a legitimate rebuilding phase rather than getting carried away with any player that became available.

Simply put, the time to draft a quarterback has been and gone unless it’s a truly elite talent. Pickett is not deemed to be that by any stretch of the imagination.

Carolina will do what’s best for the team, obviously. However, there is a real sense of urgency that should dictate a college quarterback in Year 3 of Rhule’s tenure as a non-starter.