5 critical decisions that caused Matt Rhule’s demise with the Panthers
By Dean Jones
Matt Rhule chose the process over accountability
Whenever things got tough for Matt Rhule, he’d always go back to two main things that he believed would finally get the Carolina Panthers moving in the right direction.
The Process and The Brand.
This was a nice slogan to have initially. Something the players seemingly bought into even if results weren’t exactly going in their favor.
However, what this also brought was a distinct lack of accountability from Rhule and almost everyone within the organization.
Rhule’s quote citing Jay-Z was laughable. This statement proved to be the tipping point for many fans and their confidence in the head coach.
Whether it was Dennis Daley’s “not my job” or John Miller’s “sacks happen”, the blame game was evident throughout Rhule’s tenure. He eventually realized talk is cheap over the final stages of his reign, but by then it was too late.
Cam Newton’s exit presser following the 2021 season said it all. The quarterback was with the team for around three months, but he could see what was unfolding a mile away.
At the end of last season, I asked Cam Newton about the “identity” of the #Panthers and he mentioned that he felt everyone had not bought in. There’s been a culture shift for sure; can Steve Wilks bring that old thing back? pic.twitter.com/OPck4T5chz
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) October 11, 2022
Choosing the process over accountability was a sword Rhule died on. Something that should immediately change with Steve Wilks at the helm.