The Carolina Panthers haven’t been at their best over the past five years, failing to make the playoffs because the 2017-18 season. And almost a month after dropping the hammer on former head coach Matt Rhule and defensive coordinator Phil Snow, the Panthers have made much more changes to their coaching ranks after scuffling to a 2-7 record following their most up-to-date loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Based on NFL insider Ian Rapoport, interim head coach Steve Wilks and the Panthers are relieving cornerbacks coach Evan Cooper and defensive position coach Paul Pasqualoni of their duties effective immediately.
Cooper’s stint with the Panthers began in 2020, entering the franchise the identical 12 months Rhule did, while Pasqualoni only lasted a number of months within the organization after being hired earlier this 12 months.
The writing was on the wall for coaches who were Rhule appointees, with Steve Wilks seeking to mold the Panthers in his image as they appear to rekindle their glory days within the mid-2010s under head coach Ron Rivera and former franchise cornerstone Cam Newton. The Panthers axed their defensive coordinator in Snow within the immediate aftermath of Rhule’s firing, and he was replaced by defensive run game coordinator Al Holcomb, and maybe more changes could come the more the Panthers struggle.
Gerard Samillano ·
Karl Rasmussen ·
Owen Crisafulli ·
It’s not difficult to see why the Panthers’ defensive coaches are those getting the boot, as Carolina has allowed the third-most points in nine games to date, with 228. They rank within the bottom-10 of just about every pertinent defensive metric, and it’s difficult to win ballgames while allowing opponents to attain with ease.
Nevertheless, the Panthers’ offense, specifically their passing game, is perhaps just as marred with issues as their defense. Carolina ranks at the underside of the league in pass completion percentage, and PJ Walker’s 3/10 performance against the Bengals won’t do anyone any favors. Simply put, the Panthers need an entire overhaul in the event that they are to amount to something more as a cellar-dweller within the NFL.
