5 potential replacements if Panthers cut ties with Matt Rhule in-season

Carolina Panthers could promote Ben McAdoo

If a head coach is fired during the season, then it normally comes with a promotion from within rather than a big splash from outside. Good for continuity, but the Carolina Panthers are just so flat at the moment, that it’s hard to gauge just how much this would move the needle.

Maybe Steve Wilks would command more respect in the locker room. But given David Tepper’s track record since purchasing the Panthers, offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo could be the favorite in this scenario.

McAdoo arrived as the team’s primary play-caller this offseason and hasn’t covered himself in glory over the first two games. He was criticized for the overall game plan in Week 1 and this was swiftly followed by another disappointing outing on offense against the team that fired him as head coach.

It’s still early for McAdoo. Baker Mayfield’s late arrival didn’t help matters and splitting reps in camp with Sam Darnold only complicated things further for a team that needed to get off on the front foot.

Whether McAdoo’s potential promotion to interim head coach would fill fans with much joy is debatable. However, this would give Tepper and general manager Scott Fitterer time to explore candidates, come up with a shortlist, and get a head start on the recruitment.