Matt Rhule could be fired before the 2022 NFL season ends

The head coach of the Carolina Panthers, Matt Rhule, is on thin ice. So far in 2022, the team is not performing at a competitive level and the public is taking notice. How long will Rhule remain the head coach?

The Carolina Panthers currently stand at a record of 1-3 as the 2022 season continues and heads into Week 5. Head coach Matt Rhule’s record during his tenure is 11-26 with zero appearances in the playoff. Since he began as the head coach Rhule has failed to achieve a record of even .500, but went 5-11 in 2020 and 5-12 in 2021.

Rhule signed a contract in 2020 for a whopping $62 million over a seven-year period. Panthers owner David Tepper is reportedly not going to make a change anytime soon as reported by NFL insider Ian Rapoport;

"“Sources informed of the Panthers’ thinking say no change is imminent for Rhule, with Panthers owner David Tepper planning to be patient rather than reactionary,” Rapoport writes. “But wins must come and improvement must be evident.”"

What if the wins don’t come? Do any of the signs we currently see think that there will be an improvement? The Panthers made a move with the Jets last season to acquire Sam Darnold which did not lead the team any closer to wins or the playoffs and in 2022 the team signed ex-Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. With Mayfield as the starter and Darnold working his way back from injury Rhule shows a clear lack of well…clarity, within the Panthers building when asked about the quarterback situation.

"“I think Baker’s our quarterback. We have to continue to find ways to help him…. Sam (Darnold) is not cleared right now.”"

Rhule doesn’t seem to have an idea of who the starting quarterback will be when Darnold returns and the comment about “helping” Mayfield led to additional murmurs about the Panthers’ wide receivers not being happy with Mayfield or Rhule. Specifically, receiver DJ Moore, who is having his worst season in all statistical categories gave a less than convincing interview about the topic.

Even if Tepper plans to be patient how many more losses will he sit through in the owner’s box at Bank of America Stadium listening to the boos from their own fans? The Panthers have a tough schedule leading up to their bye week in Week 13 (Nov 28) including the 49ers, Rams, Buccaneers, Bengals, and Ravens.

If the Panthers don’t come up with at least a few wins before that date it would not be surprising to see a coaching change in Charlotte.