The Carolina Panthers have provided the NFL with the first head coach firing during the 2022 season.
Early this morning, the team cut ties with head coach Matt Rhule.
However, the firing comes as no surprise, as he came into this season on the hot seat.
While the firing gives Steve Wilks the interim job, per Ian Rapoport, the firing could mean more shake-up in Carolina.
#Panthers defensive pass game coordinator/secondary coach Steve Wilks is the new interim. https://t.co/OenYiWgcC5
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 10, 2022
So what went wrong for Rhule, what are his options from here, and can the Panthers recover after starting 1-4 under Rhule?
Rhule Made All The Wrong Moves To Save His Job
While Rhule took over the Panthers’ head coaching job in 2020, he was making terrible moves to keep his job in 2021 and 2022.
He came to the team with Teddy Bridgewater as his starting QB.
While Bridgewater did well in New Orleans filling in for Drew Brees, he never found success in Carolina.
However, Carolina went looking for a new quarterback after one season with Bridgewater.
In 2021, the Panthers made a trade for Sam Darnold, the QB they hoped could save their franchise.
The team went 3-0 to start 2021, while Darnold had a pair of 300+ yard passing games during that span.
Back-to-back 300-yard passing games for Sam Darnold.
The @Panthers #KeepPounding to 3-0. pic.twitter.com/uCqBHOvfUi
— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2021
However, an injury to Christian McCaffrey was the start of a derailing of the Panthers 2021 season.
With the 2021 season turning into a wash, Rhule got Baker Mayfield to help him in 2022.
But the gamble on Mayfield was a bust, as his horrible play in games led to the Rhule firing.
So what is his next step as he’s now unemployed?
College Teams Want Rhule To Coach Them
While Rhule’s NFL record as a head coach was a nightmare, he’s been a solid college head coach.
His time at Temple as their head coach saw him post a 28-23 record overall with them in four years.
The last two seasons with Temple saw him post winning seasons while placing first in the AAC.
He then went to Baylor for three years, posting two winning seasons and one bowl win against Texas.
His 2019 year with the team saw Baylor go 11-3 while ranking in the top 15 that season.
Before the 2022 NFL kicked off, college teams wanted Rhule, but saw him declining their offers.
Former #Panthers coach Matt Rhule had several opportunities last offseason for big-time college jobs, but he turned them down to stay in Carolina. Now, he'll have his choice of coveted college jobs. https://t.co/OenYiWgcC5
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 10, 2022
However, he might take an offer now that he’s without a team.
But with Rhule out in Carolina, can they now salvage their 2022 season?
Panthers Might Have A Chance If P. J. Walker Can Jump-start Their Offense
During the Panthers loss on Sunday to the San Francisco 49ers, the team pulled Mayfield for P. J. Walker.
While Walker isn’t an impressive QB, he’s 2-0 as a starting QB for the Panthers during his career.
Fans won’t see a QB playing mistake-free football with Walker, but he still wins games for the Panthers.
He does just enough to help the offense score points to win games.
However, with the horrible showing by Mayfield this season, he can help jump-start the Panthers offense.
With Walker being a threat to run with the ball, defenses might have an issue playing against him over Mayfield.
NEXT: Panthers Insider Reveals Shocking Matt Rhule Fact