Carolina Panthers: 5 Storylines to watch in the 2020 season
By Zach Wilson
1. The New Set of ‘Rhules’
When the Carolina Panthers selected Cam Newton with the first pick in the 2011 draft, they also brought in Ron Rivera as the new head coach. Now that Newton’s tenure in Carolina is finished, Riverboat Ron’s is as well.
The Panthers made a decision viewed by some as controversial but, to me, is a great one. The transition from college to the NFL is difficult and you can never truly tell how a coach will adapt until you see it in action. One thing Matt Rhule does have a track record of is taking a program from the bottom to the top. We saw it at Temple and Baylor. Now the Panthers are hopeful he can utilize his magic touch one more time.
As a team who is young and entering a rebuilding stage, Rhule gets the opportunity to shape this roster however he would like. He’s already made his initial imprint by selecting seven defensive players in the draft and letting the majority of the Panthers’ vets walk this off-season.
With Rhule, comes a collection of new coordinators. The offensive coordinator is Joe Brady. Recognized as one of the best OC’s in college football last year, Brady helped lead Joe Burrow and the LSU Tigers to one of the most dominant college seasons ever.
Phil Snow comes with Rhule from Baylor (and Temple) as the defensive coordinator, a guy who Rhule is used to and comfortable with and I’m sure he’s excited about the collection of young talent the Panthers have on the defensive end.
Next. NFL Uniforms 2020: Power rankings after offseason changes. dark
Even though Rivera’s time in Carolina was fairly successful, Panthers fans have been shrieking for a new head coach. Well, they got one, and even though some aren’t happy about it, Rhule will get his opportunity to draw them to his side and hopefully lead this program to a championship.