Think back to early February when the Carolina Panthers had a long list of concerns.
Coming off consecutive five-win seasons, coach Matt Rhule sat on a blistering hot seat. Owner David Tepper firing Rhule would have been understandable, even warranted. It surprised some that he wasn’t. Few knew how Tepper felt. He hadn’t made a public comment on Rhule or his Panthers in over a year.
Cam Newton departed after an energizing return which climaxed in his first game with a roaring “I’m back” in Arizona. Sam Darnold retook the starting job during blowout losses in Weeks 17 and 18. With his fifth-year option picked up nine months prior, Darnold and P.J. Walker were the only quarterbacks under contract. The team had no offensive coordinator after firing Joe Brady during the bye week. The offensive line was in shambles. Carolina allowed 52 sacks, the fourth-most in the league.
