What big problems must Carolina Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks fix after taking over from Matt Rhule?
Matt Rhule and Ben McAdoo couldn’t swallow their pride to choose a more modern-day philosophy on offense. Something that caused yet another collapse against the San Francisco 49ers and provoked the Carolina Panthers into drastic action regarding their head coach.
It was the same old story. Leaving David Tepper to pull the plug on Rhule just three years into a bumper seven-year deal that tempted him from the college ranks.
Tepper had seen enough of the mediocrity and the lack of culture Rhule was supposedly building. Carolina will now move forward with Steve Wilks, a respected coach that has previous experience at the helm during his stint with the Arizona Cardinals.
This is a tremendous opportunity for Wilks, but there is a lot of hard work ahead. Here are four big problems he must solve sooner rather than later.
Big Problem No. 1
Steve Wilks must bring belief back to the Carolina Panthers
The sense of relief across the Carolina Panthers fanbase when Matt Rhule was finally fired couldn’t be ignored. Morale was at an all-time low and almost everyone had grown weary of seeing such a disappointing football product despite so much big talk from those in positions of power.
Steve Wilks must start bringing some pride back to the Carolinas. He’s from the area and knows exactly what Keep Pounding means, which should stand him in good stead in the face of some stern competition in the coming weeks.
Wilks is a popular figure, so one would expect to see a much different atmosphere at Bank of America Stadium when the Panthers welcome the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7.
Carolina Panthers QB conundrum
Through five weeks it is already evident that Baker Mayfield is not that guy. He was brought in as a life raft for Matt Rhule in a last-ditch attempt to save his job, which didn’t materialize.
Mayfield has been a complete disaster so far with a 16.5 QBR. His lack of contribution to this offense is absurd and the Carolina Panthers are now set to be without their signal-caller for a few weeks thanks to a high ankle sprain.
The former Oklahoma standout has as much talent as he’s had in the NFL in terms of weapons. There is also a much improved offensive line to call upon, so for such poor play to consistently occur is absolutely unforgivable.
Carolina is now without Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and rookie Matt Corral. This is the worst-case scenario for Steve Wilks, who looks set to start P.J. Walker at the Los Angeles Rams with Jacob Eason backing him up.
Walker was a long-time Rhule loyalist from their time together at Temple. Many speculated if he’d have a job at all if it wasn’t for this long-standing connection, but he gets the chance to silence his doubters and potentially salvage his NFL career for good measure.
Wilks has to play the hand he’s been dealt. And in truth, things look pretty bleak after some disastrous personnel moves.
Carolina Panthers’ offensive identity
Opposing defenses continue to expose these Carolina Panthers’ offense to the point where they are struggling to get a touchdown. Ben McAdoo has a predictable approach to his scheme, something that’s brought almost no consistent production so far and Matt Rhule paid the price with his job.
McAdoo has clearly learned nothing from Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore while he was on staff as a consultant. He is a very bright mind and the former New York Giants head coach should have been taking notes in the event he was given a prominent play-calling position again.
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans further exposed his outdated style of play, shutting down all areas while McAdoo made no adjustments. Steve Wilks gave the coach a reprieve upon replacing Rhule, but it won’t take much more poor performances to see changes arrive.
McAdoo was unprepared for another big-time role by the looks of things. But Rhule didn’t have many options to choose from as everybody knew what was coming.
He seems to be stuck in the past as an innovator and play caller. Carolina’s offense will continue to look asleep until garbage time from the disappointing utilization of key playmakers that deserve better unless Wilks has something up his sleeve.
Carolina Panthers defense needs slight adjustments
The run defense looked to be making strides up until the San Francisco 49ers game. But a few injuries to Frankie Luvu, Xavier Woods, and Jeremy Chinn proved too much to overcome against a strong attack led by an outstanding performance from Jeff Wilson Jr.
San Francisco rushed for 153 yards overall, which set the tone for a convincing triumph. Anytime the Carolina Panthers go up against a unique run scheme, the defense cannot keep up.
Defensive coordinator Phil Snow was also let go along with Matt Rhule, which was Steve Wilks’ call. He had a unique system that had its moments but was deeply flawed against new modern-day run schemes.
Carolina won’t enjoy sustained success on defense if they cannot stop those systems that are becoming a familiar trend across the league. Another task Wilks must find answers to in a relatively short space of time.
Expect to see a more pro-style defensive system moving forward where the Panthers are concerned. This area of the football is where Wilks excels, but whether the players can pick up these adjustments in-season is a major concern.
Nobody will be working harder than Wilks to turn the Panthers around. But the challenge awaiting him cannot be understated.