What changes implemented by interim head coach Steve Wills have made a big difference for the Carolina Panthers since Matt Rhule was fired?
The Carolina Panthers made the correct decision to end Matt Rhule’s time with the organization after another pathetic loss in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers. In truth, it should have happened long before David Tepper finally pulled the plug, with the former Baylor man offering no progression and plenty of excuses throughout his three years at the helm.
This left the Panthers at a crossroads. Trading two established figures – Robbie Anderson and Christian McCaffrey – before the deadline cast further doubt on this team’s short-term aspirations in 2022, but interim appointment Steve Wilks was in no mood to roll over and accept Carolina’s widespread fate among the local and national media.
Wilks is a proud man and an experienced coach. He was unfairly treated by the Arizona Cardinals when given a head coaching opportunity, so the respected figure is aiming to reaffirm belief in his abilities while also living out his childhood dream for good measure.
The improvements ever since are obvious. Here are four changes taking a big difference for the Panthers since Wilks replaced Rhule.
Change No. 1
Carolina Panthers are believing again
Morale was dangerously low across the Carolina Panthers in the final days of Matt Rhule’s reign. This was a team devoid of any hope and the fans either avoided Bank of America Stadium entirely or went into every contest expecting the worst.
Now, there is a real belief with Steve Wilks running things. This stems from improved preparation and the locker room pulling hard for a man they clearly want to secure the head coaching position long-term.
Wilks isn’t afraid to go against the grain. One only has to look at the confidence he has in quarterback P.J. Walker to see that.
In a weird way, this is infectious. Being the underdog has always suited Carolina, but one cannot dismiss the added confidence within the locker room in the few short weeks since Wilks’ deserved promotion.
Carolina Panthers have creativity on offense
One massive disappointment over the first five weeks of 2022 was the distinct lack of creativity on offense. Ben McAdoo‘s scheme was bland, predictable, and something opposing defenses figured out quickly – resulting in almost no consistent production before Matt Rhule was removed.
Now that the former Baylor man isn’t overseeing every aspect of the operation, McAdoo is going about his business impressively. There is a clear strategy to his game plan, which starts with a power run game and evolves with increased pre-snap motions and putting his primary playmakers in the best position to thrive.
Aside from their Week 9 outing at the Cincinnati Bengals, it’s been a remarkable change on offense under Steve Wilks compared to what fans were forced to stomach under Rhule. Again, this speaks to the professionalism and trust the interim appointment has where McAdoo is concerned.
There is now offensive urgency that simply wasn’t there previously. Carolina’s system is well-balanced, hard to figure out, and improving gradually in key areas such as red-zone and third-down efficiency.
Whether this will be enough for McAdoo or Wilks to get a longer-term commitment from team owner David Tepper is unclear. But the Panthers are an exciting franchise to watch at long last, which is the biggest positive of all given all the doom and gloom that surrounded Rhule almost from the moment he arrived on a $62 million deal from Baylor.
Carolina Panthers are more of a team
There was no denying that the Carolina Panthers were far too reliant on Christian McCaffrey. Something that proved to be the case once again in 2022 after the running back made a welcome return to full health.
With the Panthers fading fast and Matt Rhule’s fate sealed, those in power took the difficult decision to acquire draft assets for McCaffrey, dealing him to the San Francisco 49ers. This could have made Steve Wilks’ life more difficult, but he’s somehow turned this situation into a positive one.
Remarkable, really. Especially considering how elite McCaffrey remains when fit and firing on all cylinders.
How did Wilks and his staff accomplish this? By turning the Panthers from almost a one-man show into a team again.
Sounds simple. But it certainly wouldn’t have transpired under Rhule’s watch, with many players on the fringes coming to the fore and thriving under a different set of ideas.
The likes of D’Onta Foreman and Terrace Marshall Jr. are the two primary examples of this. Both players weren’t in Rhule’s good graces for whatever reason, but they are excelling under Wilks and long may it continue.
McCaffrey got a good landing spot and Carolina acquired much-needed draft capital, allowing other talents to shine without the All-Pro. So make no mistake, this was a win-win for all parties.
Carolina Panthers have returned to their roots
The Brand.
Matt Rhule’s philosophy was forced down everyone’s throats. An ethos that worked fine at the collegiate level, but it couldn’t transition to a professional environment and increased the disenchantment between the Carolina Panthers and its long-suffering fanbase.
This is thankfully a thing of the past.
Steve Wilks was around Carolina when the team accomplished a significant amount. More importantly, he grew up supporting the Panthers and hails from the area, so the interim head coach knows exactly what this franchise means to people.
Wilks is restoring the culture normally associated with the Panthers. While the Keep Pounding message was often lost under Rhule, that isn’t going to be the case with his short-term successor and as long as he’s calling the shots, there will be nothing but maximum effort, physicality, and working hard for themselves and each other.
There is now some clear accountability and unity within the locker room. Not only publicly, but returning to what made Carolina great in the first place is coming with higher standards and every single Panthers player from top to bottom pulling in the same direction.
To say this has been refreshing would be an understatement. The Panthers might only be 2-3 under Wilks, but the effort, overall performances, and atmosphere across the organization are night and day from Rhule’s complete disaster.