BREAKING: Panthers Fire Matt Rhule Less Than 3 Years Into His 7-Year Contract As Baker Mayfield Gets Another Coach Axed
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Yep, thanks for playing, Matt Rhule, but the bigger story here is that Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield played so poorly that he got a coach shitcanned with more than four seasons left on his contract.
Baker has now cycled through Hue Jackson, Freddie Kitchens, Kevin Stefanski and Matt Rhule as full-time head coaches in the NFL. This stat does well to summarize just how bad the former No. 1 overall pick has been for the 1-4 Panthers:
It'd be hilarious if all of a sudden Baker started balling out with Rhule gone. Not holding my breath. Ben McAdoo has been a disastrous hire as offensive coordinator. Wouldn't be surprised to see PJ Walker under center. Baker was in a walking boot following Sunday's 37-15 loss to the 49ers, so he could be out for a bit.
I feel for Rhule, but a lot of this is on him. Not having the ability to evaluate the quarterback position in tandem with the front office sunk his tenure before it really had a chance.
When you think trading multiple valuable assets for Sam Darnold is the answer to your prayers, or before that, you guarantee Teddy Bridgewater $33 million, you're a big part of the problem.
I blogged about this yesterday and fully did not anticipate Rhule to be given his pink slip this soon. Alas, here we are!
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Credit Carolina owner David Tepper for not stubbornly sticking to his guns like many men in his spot would. Investing a seven-year contract in Rhule was a massive endorsement. Tepper recognized Rhule's message wasn't resonating in the locker room, and out he goes.
I'm a little surprised Steve Wilks is the guy in charge now, given how bad he flamed out during his one-year coaching stint in Arizona. I guess he's used to bad QB play from that experience with a then-rookie Josh Rosen, who's had a way worse go at it in the pros than Baker.
Defensive coordinator Phil Snow is a legitimate stud, and we could see the next head coach in Carolina retain him, similar to what Mike McDaniel did with Josh Boyer on the Dolphins. Or hell, maybe Snow will want a fresh start, or is inclined to follow Rhule to wherever he coaches in college. I say Nebraska would be pretty cool.
UPDATE: So much for Snow staying in Charlotte!! Looks like he's following Rhule to the next stop.
Snow has helped the Panthers build a versatile, dynamic defense with a strong, young foundation in place. Whoever takes over the reins for Rhule in 2023 should have that to look forward to, as well as carte blanche to overhaul this offense and make the most of a good collection of skill players led by Christian McCaffrey.
Twitter @MattFitz_gerald/TikTok