Which potential head coaching candidates could the Carolina Panthers look at if David Tepper cuts ties with Matt Rhule during the 2022 season?
Another demoralizing defeat for the Carolina Panthers in Week 2 has piled even more pressure on Matt Rhule. Nothing seems to be progressing as expected under the head coach, who’s led his team to a 2-14 record over the last 16 games and there is a real belief he might be removed from the equation in 2022.
Carolina’s schedule is brutal over the next five weeks. Something which might spell the end for Rhule unless he can somehow get the Panthers trending in the right direction.
David Tepper has remained steadfast in his support of Rhule. But everyone has their tipping point and unless the turnaround is immediate, it’s hard to envisage a scenario where the former Baylor man sees out his third year.
The Panthers cannot interview potential replacements from other teams until two weeks before the campaign concludes, according to new rules. But here are five potential short-term replacements if Tepper decides to end the Rhule experiment in-season.
Candidate No. 1
Carolina Panthers could promote Steve Wilks
David Tepper’s options would be limited if he decided to cut ties with Matt Rhule during the season. Perhaps the smartest move for continuity would be to promote a coach into the interim role and assess all possibilities before getting a head start on the process towards the end of 2022.
One primary candidate in this scenario is Steve Wilks. The defensive backs coach is greatly respected by his players, has previous head coaching experience, and is a leader of men that knows what it takes to succeed in the NFL.
This would also be a popular move within the fanbase. Something that shouldn’t be overlooked given how flat things are across the Carolina Panthers right now.
Carolina Panthers could target Sean Payton
If there is one thing that could be said for David Tepper, he is not afraid to go bold. Even if this hasn’t brought much to cheer about on or off the field since the billionaire bought the Carolina Panthers from previous owner Jerry Richardson for $2.2 billion, which was a record at the time.
Should the Panthers decide to go in a different direction, then making a huge splash would be Tepper’s primary goal. That would undoubtedly see Sean Payton become a primary – albeit a very expensive – target.
Payton was a thorn in Carolina’s side for many years as head coach of the New Orleans Saints before stepping away this offseason. He’s currently trying his hand at analyzing with FOX Sports, but could be tempted back into the league by a mammoth offer that Tepper can easily afford.
Stranger things have happened, but it’s unlikely Payton would want to take on the job in-season. There is also the small matter of compensation given that he is still under contract with the Saints.
This would involve some high-end draft capital, one suspects. Especially considering New Orleans lies within the same NFC South division as the Panthers.
Tepper will swing for the fences if – or when – the time comes. But Payton would likely need a blank check and a lot of convincing before taking on this major project.
Carolina Panthers could target Mike Zimmer
Much would depend on the timing, but the Carolina Panthers won’t want another campaign of abject failure in 2022. Even if that does look like a real possibility after losing their opening two fixtures against the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants.
Matt Rhule is a man under fire ahead of a fierce gauntlet of games, many of which are at home to only add to the pressure. David Tepper knows time is of the essence, so it will be telling which way the owner decides to go in the not-too-distant future.
If the Panthers are permitted to acquire a short-term fix from outside the organization, then it might be worth picking up the phone and giving Mike Zimmer a call.
His track record with the Minnesota Vikings over a prolonged period came with many memorable highlights. However, things became a little stagnant in 2021 and it’s clear a fresh start under Kevin O’Connell was the best possible solution for the franchise.
Zimmer is working alongside Deion Sanders in an advisory role at Jackson State University. One would need to examine the logistics, but his old-school approach and no-nonsense mentality could be exactly what the Panthers need at this precise moment.
Whether it’s something that would interest Zimmer is another matter entirely.
Carolina Panthers could target Brian Flores
One of the most shocking off-season events occurred surrounding Brian Flores. His removal as head coach of the Miami Dolphins and subsequent class-action lawsuit against the NFL was another damning indictment of the entire process and left him on the outside looking in regarding an immediate opportunity elsewhere.
Mike Tomlin knows football. So it didn’t take long for the Pittsburgh Steelers to swoop and appoint Flores to their staff as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach.
If the Carolina Panthers were looking for a fresh set of ideas in the not-too-distant future, then bringing in Flores for a chat at some stage could be worth its weight in gold. David Tepper must be wary about league rules regarding interviews and potential tampering, which could reflect badly on the franchise if not handled correctly.
It’s unlikely Tomlin would stand in Flores’ way regardless of the timing. Maybe releasing him from his responsibilities could open the door for Tepper and the Panthers, but who knows what the billionaire is thinking at this point.
Flores deserves another opportunity. But he’d likely want a long-term commitment at a time when the Panthers would need to widen the net significantly.
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.