4 major factors behind Carolina Panthers poor start in 2022

Inept leadership

For the last time this season, we will lay blame at Matt Rhule‘s feet. The Carolina Panthers finally realized what many fans have known for more than a year – this team isn’t going to win as long as Rhule remained in charge.

We have watched the defense struggle. Teddy Bridgewater, Cam Newton, Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield all regressed under his leadership, resulting in a series of failed personnel moves at quarterback that provided no stability whatsoever.

An offense with as many weapons as the Panthers have had over the last three years shouldn’t struggle close to the level they have in the last two seasons. Not even making Joe Brady the scapegoat in 2021 improved Rhule’s fortunes and David Tepper pulled the plug just hours after the team’s fourth loss of the campaign.

Rhule being fired is one of the best things to happen Carolina’s fanbase in a long time. He isn’t an NFL head coach and shouldn’t have been given as long to hurt the franchise, but Tepper eventually saw that his $62 million experiment wasn’t ever going to work out.

Getting blown out by a subpar quarterback and a great coach versus the San Francisco 49ers was the final straw. This finally opens up the opportunity to bring in a life-changing head coach.

While the rest of this season is likely a loss considering the 1-4 start, the Panthers can only get better with Rhule gone.