Who could emerge as the major scapegoats if things go wrong for the Carolina Panthers during a crossroads campaign in 2022?
Although this is normally a time of year for excitement, fans are rightfully erring on the side of caution regarding the Carolina Panthers and their chances in 2022. Questions over the quarterback position and head coach Matt Rhule make the upcoming campaign a precarious one for the franchise, with many experts projecting more misery on a tough-looking schedule from start to finish.
Carolina recently wrapped up its mandatory minicamp, which was the chance to provide another building block in their preparations ahead of the new season. What transpires in training camp will be even more important, with players lower down the pecking order also set to showcase what they could potentially bring to the organization in the preseason.
Hopefully, the Panthers‘ talented young core develop and veterans also raise their respective contributions. Much will also depend on whether running back Christian McCaffrey can remain healthy after featuring just 10 times over the last two years.
With this in mind, here are five potential scapegoats if things go wrong once again for the Panthers in 2022.
Scapegoat No. 1
Ben McAdoo – Carolina Panthers OC
There were some who raised their eyebrows after the Carolina Panthers’ rockstar search for a new offensive coordinator ended up with Ben McAdoo coming on board. The experienced figure didn’t end his time as head coach of the New York Giants on a positive note and although he’s seemingly much better suited to this position, it remains to be seen whether or not he can finally get the offense trending in the right direction.
McAdoo has wasted no time in making his presence felt. He was instrumental in tight-end Ian Thomas getting an extension this spring when many thought he’d be moved on, with the coordinator also throwing his weight behind the Panthers surging up the draft to select quarterback Matt Corral at No. 94 overall.
If these moves don’t pan out and the offense fails to improve significantly, then McAdoo’s head will be on the chopping block.
Matt Rhule – Carolina Panthers HC
Perhaps the biggest scapegoat of all, if the Carolina Panthers cannot become competitive in 2022, will be Matt Rhule. Many fans were calling for a change in 2021 after the team failed to build on a positive start to accumulate just five wins once again, which left some significant questions about just which direction the team is heading under the former Baylor man.
Rhule was unable to make competent in-game adjustments, made some bizarre statements in front of the media, and handled the quarterback situation terribly in 2021. When one puts all these factors together, it’s not hard to see why Carolina lost 12 of their final 14 games.
It’s been a tough offseason of rumors surrounding his future, even though Rhule always appeared confident that he had the full support of David Tepper. There has been an injection of coaches with legitimate NFL experience this spring and the team’s more methodical approach to recruitment could be a sign that general manager Scott Fitterer is becoming increasingly influential on the personnel side.
Rhule himself has declared a desire to become closer with his players, providing additional responsibilities to veterans and aiming for those on the roster to become bigger parts of the process along the way.
Hopefully, this shift in ethos will pay off when it counts. But if the Panthers fail to meet some attainable targets in 2022, Rhule’s position might become untenable.
David Tepper – Carolina Panthers owner
While Matt Rhule remains the target, there appears to be a growing sense of disenchantment within the fanbase surrounding team owner David Tepper. The billionaire has endured a turbulent stint at the helm since buying the Carolina Panthers from Jerry Richardson and things did not exactly get much better during the 2022 offseason.
Tepper ignored calls for major change and stuck with Rhule despite being reportedly “unhappy and embarrassed” by the seven-year, $62 million contract allocated to the man he felt could get the Panthers back to prominence, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Something that set a dangerous precedent and irked other owners across the league.
His silence was deafening and Tepper only came out in support of Rhule just before the draft. However, there is much more than just the head coach to consider when examining ownership and their current way of thinking.
Carolina’s relentless pursuit of Deshaun Watson despite the signal-caller dealing with 22 civil suits relating to sexual misconduct at the time was controversial and split the fanbase. Tepper did not care about any of that, putting winning above all morality even if the trade didn’t go in their favor.
The scrapped Rock Hill project was another demoralizing situation that painted Tepper in a bad light, especially as he bankrupted his construction company and is now being sued for damages.
Tepper has yet to experience a winning season in Carolina. If that doesn’t change next season, then the owner will come further under the microscope.
Sam Darnold – Carolina Panthers QB
As it stands right now, Sam Darnold will be starting for the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns. But a lot could happen between now and then.
The quarterback has faced another offseason full of reports that the Panthers were in on almost every available signal-caller. Big trades didn’t come off and although Matt Corral will provide extra competition, he might need a little more time before assuming starting responsibilities.
Darnold is hoping for one more chance behind a quality offensive line and with Christian McCaffrey alongside him in the backfield. The former first-round pick has reportedly made a strong start to workouts this offseason, but there is a growing belief that the Panthers are about to pull the trigger on a trade for Baker Mayfield.
Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports stated that there is urgency from the Panthers to get a deal done. Although there appears to be a conflict between them and the Browns about how much money each will take on before the trade is confirmed.
If this happens, then Darnold won’t see the field. However, should nothing come from the speculation and the USC product is under center once again, then the margin for error is non-existent.
Darnold needs to turn things around pretty dramatically. Any further inconsistencies will not go down well whatsoever with the fanbase.
Phil Snow – Carolina Panthers DC
Considering how poor the Carolina Panthers have been over the last two seasons, defensive coordinator Phil Snow seems to have avoided the constant discontent others suffered. The experienced coach has made gradual strides since his appointment, with extreme loyalty to Matt Rhule something else that’s obviously worked in his favor.
There was no danger of the Panthers firing Snow the same way they did with offensive coordinator Joe Brady last season. He’s forgotten more about the game than most of us will know and although things remain uncertain on offense, big things are anticipated from a gifted defensive unit providing key personnel stay clear of injuries in 2022.
Carolina struggled against the run at times last season and there were some deficiencies at the second level that might not have been addressed effectively this offseason. The Panthers will also be without some key veteran players who departed in free agency, with Haason Reddick, DaQuan Jones, and Stephon Gilmore all taking their chances elsewhere.
Hopefully, the new arrivals can adjust quickly and development continues with those already on the books. If the offense can also stay on the field longer, it will help Snow’s cause enormously.
There is a chance things go wrong. Should this unfortunate scenario come to fruition, then Snow might end up getting some heat when it’s all said and done.