Panthers fire head coach Matt Rhule after 1-4 start to season

Baker Mayfield's arrival was supposed to signal a turning point in head coach Matt Rhule's tenure with the Carolina Panthers. Instead, it spelled his demise.

[{"selector":"#anim-b93ff81b-380e-4109-91c0-c845dd4286c3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(27.914289285071902%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Panthers defensive passing game coordinator/secondary coach Steve Wilks will replace Rhule as the interim coach.

[{"selector":"#anim-88f9b805-8eb3-416a-b2dd-ac0ca6e41e11 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(27.914289285071902%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Matt Rhule's arrival came with much fanfare and a seven-year, $62 million contract in 2020.

[{"selector":"#anim-5dc0dce7-82c3-4152-bb9f-d7dd14c2e5df [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(27.914289285071902%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Matt Rhule's time in Carolina produced just an 11-27 record over two-plus seasons, including consecutive five-win campaigns.

[{"selector":"#anim-d5e3895e-a63c-4a63-a9b3-da3a6df48f81 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(27.914289285071902%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

The Panthers have had a bottom-five offense in several metrics since 2020, including points per game (28th), yards per game (29th), third-down percentage (31st), red-zone touchdown percentage (30th) and passer rating (30th).

[{"selector":"#anim-ed578776-6604-42ba-a37d-bc8f68634193 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(27.914289285071902%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

the Panthers were significantly better. However, thanks to this offensive ineptitude, Carolina essentially fought an uphill battle on a weekly basis, posting a 1-27 record when the Panthers allowed 17-plus points in the Rhule era, including 25 straight losses.

[{"selector":"#anim-337967c0-f9e6-4fad-9983-bd410e360e6d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(27.914289285071902%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

the Panthers were significantly better. However, thanks to this offensive ineptitude, Carolina essentially fought an uphill battle on a weekly basis, posting a 1-27 record when the Panthers allowed 17-plus points in the Rhule era, including 25 straight losses.

[{"selector":"#anim-38de7773-0b32-42b2-9eb5-89512ade70a5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(27.914289285071902%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Carolina shifted its attention toward reclaiming Sam Darnold's career in 2021, but he too struggled, especially after sustaining injuries that forced him out of action and sent the Panthers to Cam Newton's doorstep with a pitch to bring him back to Carolina.

[{"selector":"#anim-0a1233f1-a1b7-408d-8234-779f026a0d38 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(27.914289285071902%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

This theme continued into 2022, a season in which things were supposed to improve with Mayfield on the roster and a healthy McCaffrey back in the fold.

[{"selector":"#anim-5958054b-6bc8-4ae3-abeb-316e0335fe03 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(27.914289285071902%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

His pick-six in Sunday's loss to the 49ers was the last significant mistake committed under Rhule, sending the Panthers to 1-4 and Rhule to unemployment.

[{"selector":"#anim-1ff38a4d-ff64-4fa2-8c98-e5d6a4b7bc95 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(27.914289285071902%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

No matter how well Phil Snow's defense played, it was never enough to lift the Panthers out of their offensive misery. Those same failures cost Rhule his job.

[{"selector":"#anim-95454b3c-1d5d-4c28-b6ce-77af7b992988 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(27.914289285071902%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Share with friends and family

[{"selector":"#anim-92475d44-ac2b-4006-81e7-bde335b9cc0c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(27.914289285071902%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Panthers fire head coach Matt Rhule after 1-4 start to season

Baker Mayfield's arrival was supposed to signal a turning point in head coach Matt Rhule's tenure with the Carolina Panthers. Instead, it spelled his demise.

Panthers defensive passing game coordinator/secondary coach Steve Wilks will replace Rhule as the interim coach.

Matt Rhule's arrival came with much fanfare and a seven-year, $62 million contract in 2020.

Matt Rhule's time in Carolina produced just an 11-27 record over two-plus seasons, including consecutive five-win campaigns.

The Panthers have had a bottom-five offense in several metrics since 2020, including points per game (28th), yards per game (29th), third-down percentage (31st), red-zone touchdown percentage (30th) and passer rating (30th).

the Panthers were significantly better. However, thanks to this offensive ineptitude, Carolina essentially fought an uphill battle on a weekly basis, posting a 1-27 record when the Panthers allowed 17-plus points in the Rhule era, including 25 straight losses.

the Panthers were significantly better. However, thanks to this offensive ineptitude, Carolina essentially fought an uphill battle on a weekly basis, posting a 1-27 record when the Panthers allowed 17-plus points in the Rhule era, including 25 straight losses.

Carolina shifted its attention toward reclaiming Sam Darnold's career in 2021, but he too struggled, especially after sustaining injuries that forced him out of action and sent the Panthers to Cam Newton's doorstep with a pitch to bring him back to Carolina.

This theme continued into 2022, a season in which things were supposed to improve with Mayfield on the roster and a healthy McCaffrey back in the fold.

His pick-six in Sunday's loss to the 49ers was the last significant mistake committed under Rhule, sending the Panthers to 1-4 and Rhule to unemployment.

No matter how well Phil Snow's defense played, it was never enough to lift the Panthers out of their offensive misery. Those same failures cost Rhule his job.

Share with friends and family

TO get more updates stay connected

Packers fall to Giants in London