5 Carolina Panthers firmly on the hot seat entering 2022 season

Matt Rhule – Carolina Panthers HC

There are no more excuses for Matt Rhule.

None.

The Carolina Panthers placed a significant amount of faith in Rhule by giving him a seven-year, $62 million deal and the final say on personnel decisions. Even after losing 12 of their final 14 games in 2021, team owner David Tepper remained loyal to his guy when many across the fanbase and the national media predicted change would arrive.

Carolina surrounded Rhule with everything he needs this offseason. New coaches arrived with proven track records in the NFL and the roster now looks well-rounded aside from one or two problem positional groups that could use further reinforcements.

Rhule himself has also made changes to his approach. The former Baylor man was keen for the Panthers to become more player-orientated and his more relaxed demeanor in front of the media is also something that hasn’t gone unnoticed.

This is all positive. But it will count for absolutely nothing if Rhule and the Panthers don’t build some early momentum with so many home games to begin the campaign.

We’ll find out once and for all whether or not Rhule can emerge as a legitimate NFL head coach and make the adjustments needed to help Carolina become competitive at long last.

If he can’t, then Tepper might not be so lenient after the campaign concludes this time.