Steve Wilks has made an impressive start to life as interim head coach, which means the Carolina Panthers could give him the job long-term in 2023.
Matt Rhule’s stint with the Carolina Panthers was a massive failure. Team owner David Tepper bet big that the college program builder could do the same in a professional environment, but his methods didn’t translate and he was finally removed from his duties following another dismal loss in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers.
The Panthers turned to Steve Wilks as their interim in 2022, giving the respected figure an opportunity to win the job long-term after he was harshly treated by the Arizona Cardinals. It was a poisoned chalice of sorts given the mess Rhule left behind, which was made even more difficult by Carolina’s decision to trade Robbie Anderson and Christian McCaffrey for substantial draft capital.
Considering the circumstances, Wilks has done a fine job so far. Had the Panthers not endured some rough luck late against the Atlanta Falcons, they’d be sitting atop the NFC South rather than occupying the division’s bottom spot with a 2-6 record.
Fine margins are the name of the game. Despite this, here are four reasons why Wilks should be strongly considered for the Panthers’ head coaching job beyond 2022.
Reason No. 1
Carolina Panthers have their pride back
Cheering on the NFL’s laughing stock under Matt Rhule was difficult for fans. So the primary opening objective for Steve Wilks was restoring pride back into the Carolina Panthers.
After just three weeks, Wilks’ mission has been accomplished. Although the interim head coach will be the first to tell you the job is a long way from being complete.
Improved organization, accountability from top to bottom, and better personnel management are leading factors behind increased performance levels. If this continues throughout their remaining games, then the results should come and Wilks will likely be among the front-runners to replace Rhule permanently.
Carolina Panthers players and fans believe in Steve Wilks
While the voices within the locker room stayed loyal to Matt Rhule until the end, a perceived lack of urgency in Week 5 from David Tepper was enough for the billionaire to end his expensive experiment early. That was dismissed by the players, but it’s clear there is renewed purpose and belief with Steve Wilks at the helm.
Those within the Carolina Panthers are eager to fight for Wilks after the way he was treated by the Arizona Cardinals. Team captain Shaq Thompson stated as much during an interview with Joe Person of The Athletic and more importantly, it’s coming across on the field.
Is it perfect? Not by a long shot.
Is it better than anything we’ve seen lately? No doubt about it.
This is also enhancing belief among the fans. The Panthers are fun to watch at long last, playing with urgency and physicality on both sides of the football that leaves some hope for the future.
A belief in Carolina football was non-existent towards the end of Rhule’s tenure. So for Wilks to bring this back in just a few short weeks is a remarkable accomplishment all things considered.
Of course, this might not be reflected in results with the interim head coach sitting at 1-2. But this organization must build from rock bottom after a catastrophic three years under Rhule’s absolute power.
Carolina Panthers are doing more with less
If Steve Wilks’ job wasn’t hard enough, the Carolina Panthers opted to acquire draft capital rather than move forward with Robbie Anderson and Christian McCaffrey. While these two moves provide salary-cap flexibility and a chance to build for the future, it left the offense without established playmakers during a clear period of transition.
The fact Carolina’s offense has looked much improved despite these trades is a testament to Wilks and offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. They are scheming things much better and getting more people involved, with quarterback P.J. Walker’s performance levels also representing a significant upgrade on anything Baker Mayfield managed to accomplish before his high ankle sprain.
Wilks is doing more with less. Another impressive element to his brief time as head coach and something that shouldn’t go unnoticed by team owner David Tepper when examining potential long-term replacements for Matt Rhule.
As stated previously, there is now a level of professionalism within the Panthers that became an afterthought when Rhule was in charge. It’s not the finished article by any stretch of the imagination, but the fact Wilks is getting the most out of Carolina’s current resources indicates serious progression could come if he’s part of the process beyond 2022.
Despite their 2-6 record, the Panthers are not too far away from becoming relevant, at the very least. And Wilks deserves a tremendous amount of credit for that.
Steve Wilks is the embodiment of the Carolina Panthers’ culture
The message was simple during Steve Wilks’ introductory press conference. It was time for the Carolina Panthers to start fighting for their culture and bring a sense of belonging back after so much disenchantment.
Wilks was around the franchise for some of its greatest moments. Although some legendary figures have since departed, the interim head coach is the embodiment of football in the Carolinas and is putting this knowledge to good use in a prominent position of power.
The Keep Pounding mantra that became an afterthought under Matt Rhule was center stage once again. A willingness to do whatever it takes to push forward in the face of tremendous adversity.
This is rubbing off on the players, too. The level of respect for Wilks was there from the moment his promotion was confirmed and with some fine tweaking to the roster this offseason, this is a coach that can lead the Panthers back to relevancy.
All he needs is a chance. But whether team owner David Tepper is willing to move forward with Wilks will be dependent on how the Panthers perform over their remaining fixtures and if enough progress is demonstrated on and off the field.
As of right now, it’s so far, so good for Wilks. A proud man deeply connected to the region that is the very fabric of what’s made Carolina great over the years.
Something that should give him an outstanding chance of being the head coach in 2023 and possibly beyond.