What were some critical observations from the Carolina Panthers finally deciding to cut ties with head coach Matt Rhule following their 1-4 start?
It was another miserable Sunday for Carolina Panthers fans. The game against the San Francisco 49ers followed a similar trend to what we have seen in recent history under Matt Rhule, which was eventually his undoing.
We saw the defense and special teams doing their best to keep Carolina in the game. But a stuttering offense led by the inept pairing of Baker Mayfield and Ben McAdoo failed to gain any momentum, scoring just one offensive touchdown for the fourth week in a row.
For many Panthers fans, there was a terrible sense of inevitability that more doom and gloom was on the way. The last time Carolina played San Francisco they were blown away 51-13, but while things weren’t quite at this level it was still bleak.
It was clear how fans felt about this team by the complete sea of red in the stands.
Those that did bother to show up made their feelings very clear. Audible boos were heard toward the offense throughout with fire Rhule also ringing out. Fans’ wishes were finally answered on Monday as David Tepper parted ways with the former Baylor man with a little under four years remaining on his lucrative contract.
As a new era dawns, here are four critical observations from the Panthers finally pulling the trigger on Rhule’s dismissal.
Matt Rhule gave the Carolina Panthers no choice
It was always inevitable.
The Carolina Panthers announced on Monday they had parted ways with head coach Matt Rhule. An 11-27 record was never going to translate to a long career in the league.
This recent loss for Rhule was clearly the last straw for David Tepper. A 37-15 blowout reverse against the San Francisco 49ers at a half-empty Bank of America Stadium filled with visiting fans was the apparent straw that broke the camel’s back, with the billionaire also citing a lack of intensity as another reason behind the decision.
"“There’s numerous reasons why you make a decision. Might have been a little bit of lost intensity on the field yesterday, which was different from the first four games.”"
It was blatantly obvious to all that Rhule was hugely out of his depth making the step up to the NFL. There’s no shame in things not working out – even the greatest college coach of all time Nick Saban couldn’t cut it at the next level.
With Rhule gone and Steve Wilks in interim charge, this opens the door for the respected program builder to take one of the college jobs available. Moving forward for the Panthers, it will be interesting to see if this firing will have any effect on performances starting with a visit to the Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams in Week 6.
Carolina Panthers GM Scott Fitterer deserves some heat
It’s fair to say recently one of the only members of the Carolina Panthers organization who has seen any praise is Scott Fitterer. While the general manager has made some good moves, is it time fans start questioning his time with the team so far?
Now in reality, how much real power did Fitterer have? It was noted that especially last season Matt Rhule had almost complete control over footballing decisions, but it seemed this balance shifted this offseason with the former Seattle Seahawks front office figure becoming more influential.
We’ve seen Fitterer pull off some solid moves, but others have rightly been questioned. Of course, the trade for Sam Darnold has come under scrutiny as Carolina sent three draft picks to the New York Jets for the worst starting quarterback in the league.
There’s also scrutiny being put on the trade for cornerback C.J. Henderson, which cost the Panthers tight end, Dan Arnold, in addition to a third-rounder for the Florida product and a fifth-round selection.
From what we’ve seen out of Henderson so far, the Panthers are unlikely to pick up his fifth-year option once the season is done. With the poor play from the tight-end group, they could have used the production of someone like Arnold in 2022.
While true criticism for Fitterer should be held until he has picked his own head coach and quarterback, it’s certainly fair for fans to be doubting his credentials in the wake of Rhule’s firing.
Carolina Panthers fans reached their limit with Matt Rhule
If any outsiders wanted any indication of just how Carolina Panthers fans felt about this team under the current regime, a look into the stands would have told you everything in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Games like this are never going to be great for teams like Carolina. A relatively small market franchise that was only formed in 1995 playing one of the most historic organizations in the league.
But this was bad, seriously bad.
Clips before the game showed that Niners fans had traveled in huge numbers. And the blue scattered across Bank of America Stadium were empty seats rather than home support.
Another indicator that Panthers fans had reached their breaking point with Matt Rhule.
When the broadcast began, you’d be forgiven for thinking this was being played in Santa Clara and not uptown Charlotte. The official attendance was listed at over 72,000, but there’s little chance the number was that high.
Clips posted post-game showed waves of Niners fans making their exit from the stadium. Couple this with another hammering on home solid and it’s not hard to see why David Tepper took action.
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper is feeling the strain
One would be hard-pressed to find a more unpopular owner in the NFL than David Tepper right now. The Carolina Panthers owner infamously said after a 29-3 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons that he “wouldn’t stand for mediocrity”, but that would be an improvement based on how things have gone lately.
The 11-33 record since Tepper’s quote isn’t mediocre – it’s appalling. Through five games this season, the Panthers are the NFL’s worst team and currently hold the No. 1 overall selection.
Tepper’s actions with Charlotte FC prove he isn’t shy in wielding the axe, firing manager Miguel Angel Ramirez after just 17 games in charge when his relationship with the players broke down. After 37 games in charge, Tepper finally pulled the plug on what was a tumultuous reign for Matt Rhule.
A look into the stands at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday would have left Tepper under no illusion as to how fans feel about his ownership. Most were at the point where they no longer wanted to spend their hard-earned money to watch a product that has turned into a perennial loser.
Tepper finally cut his losses and fired Rhule on Monday morning. Moving forward it’s key that the billionaire gives Scott Fitterer control in finding a new head coach with Steve Wilks now having the opportunity to put his name into the hat long-term.