4 reasons not to panic after Panthers hold firm at 2022 trade deadline

Carolina Panthers are giving Steve Wilks a genuine shot

Steve Wilks was given a thankless job when appointed to replace Matt Rhule as interim head coach. The Carolina Panthers were a complete mess from top to bottom over the first five weeks, with many predicting a tank after Robbie Anderson and Christian McCaffrey were shipped out for draft capital.

Wilks was diplomatic about the trades. Scott Fitterer added that it’s not his job to care about what people think in terms of players coming and going.

His job is to right the wrongs of Rhule’s spell of almost absolute power. But standing firm at the trade deadline indicates the Panthers are giving Wilks a genuine shot at winning the job long-term.

The changes implemented by Wilks in a relatively short timeframe are impressive. There seems to be more structure and the offense has also come on significantly over the last fortnight when all hope seemed lost previously.

After the way Wilks was treated by the Arizona Cardinals, this is the least he deserves. The respected figure is deeply connected to the area and is looking for the Panthers to get back to the ethos that made them so successful in the mid-2010s, which sadly departed the set-up when Rhule and “The Brand” came to Charlotte.

There is no more uncertainty regarding player movement, which will be a relief for Wilks. It’s now up to the interim to convince team owner David Tepper he’s worthy of a bigger commitment.