Panthers fall to bottom after Week 5 loss to 49ers

Author: Dan Hanzus

Rank: 32 (-1)

Take: “The Panthers were non-competitive yet again on Sunday against the 49ers. Less than 24 hours later, the ax came down on Matt Rhule. Carolina fired the head coach on Monday, ending his run with the Panthers at 11-27 in two-plus seasons. Rhule didn’t fail alone: The Panthers have had dreadful instincts in addressing the quarterback position since cutting ties with former MVP Cam Newton. Sam Darnold was a bust in 2021, and Baker Mayfield has been just as bad (if not worse) as QB1 this year. It’s been a mess, and now it becomes the responsibility of defensive passing game coordinator/secondary coach Steve Wilks, who was elevated to interim head coach. Wilks will begin his run without Mayfield, out indefinitely after suffering a high ankle sprain against the Niners. With Darnold still shelved by his own high ankle sprain (this team, man), P.J. Walker is set to start Sunday against the Rams.”