5 Carolina Panthers with most to gain from a positive 2022 draft
By Dean Jones
Matt Rhule – Carolina Panthers HC
Despite calls to the contrary once another failed season came to a conclusion, Matt Rhule is still the head coach of the Carolina Panthers. However, one suspects the leash is far tighter now than it’s ever been heading into Year 3 of his reign.
Rhule has spoken just twice in front of the media this offseason, with Scott Fitterer handling most of the responsibilities.
This might be a ploy from the organization to keep the former Baylor man out of the headlines. But it does not detract from what a vital upcoming campaign is facing a man that David Tepper gave a seven-year, $62 million contract and the final say on personnel decisions.
In fairness to Rhule, the Panthers have drafted well over the last two years. It’s his inability to coach effectively and other personnel moves that are the problem.
If the Panthers can find the right men to fill problem holes during the draft, then there will be no more excuses for Rhule. Not like he had any more given that he’s used plenty of scapegoat cards over the last 12 months.
Should Rhule once again fluff his lines in 2022 and show no signs of genuine progression, then it might leave Tepper with no alternative other than to go in a different direction. Something that a lot of fans were calling for a lot sooner.