4 big takeaways from David Tepper’s presser after Matt Rhule’s firing

David Tepper’s reasons for firing Matt Rhule

There are many reasons why Matt Rhule was fired. But despite everything seemingly crumbling around the head coach, his one solace was the support of team owner David Tepper in the face of ongoing adversity.

There was always going to be a tipping point at some stage. A straw that finally broke the camel’s back.

As it turned out, it was Tepper’s perception of intensity decreasing during another dismal loss at home to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5. Something the billionaire hadn’t seen before and acted accordingly.

"“Might have been a little bit of lost intensity on the field yesterday, which was different from the first four games. I think that we have to figure out how to get a culture of winning here, which we haven’t had in a long time in this place. As I said at some point, this team has never had two winning seasons (in a row). So I don’t really think it ever really had a culture of winning.”"

There’s been a lot of big talk from Tepper since purchasing the franchise from Jerry Richardson with very little substance behind it. Following an offseason littered with concerns and the failed project fiasco at Rock Hill, this is the last thing he wanted.

Rhule was clearly out of his depth. Perhaps Tepper was the last to realize this, but it’s a case of better late than never.