Over the past three seasons, Matt Rhule and the Carolina Panthers have been running themselves ragged for an answer under center. But on Tuesday, the third-year head coach assured reporters that they also wouldn’t run themselves into a trap while trying to find one.
During his media availability at the NFL’s Annual League Meetings from Palm Beach, Fla., Rhule said the Panthers—who have come up empty thus far in their offseason hunt—will continue to pursue multiple avenues for stability at the quarterback position.
“Part of this process has been really evaluating the trade market, and evaluating the draft; see who all is there,” Rhule said, per Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. “I think we will be aggressive in every sense of the word, as we have been. Just try to make sure we make as good a decision as we can.”
Carolina’s persistent chase for Deshaun Watson came to an end two weeks ago, when the three-time Pro Bowl passer waived his no-trade clause in a move from the Houston Texans to the Cleveland Browns. Outside of Watson, the team hasn’t exactly went all out for other notable trade or free-agent options including Jimmy Garoppolo, Baker Mayfield and Cam Newton.
This year’s draft doesn’t pose many clear possibilities either, as there’s no surefire prospect at the position. Regardless, Rhule and general manager Scott Fitterer will remain active, but selective in their process—even with the sixth overall pick in hand.
“I just think anytime in the top 10, when you reach for a position, whatever the position is, you can look back in a couple of years and say, ‘Man, that was a bad decision,'” he continued. “I think when you take a guy in the top 10 in the first round, you have to be really sure that they’re going to be a good player. That being said, it’s such a long process. It’s literally up to the day of the draft. Every new bit of information you get changes and skews your viewpoint. So we’re just trying to be diligent about being blindfolded and looking at the information, not based on our needs, but based on who’s what, where do they go. If we do that, I think we’ll make a good decision.”
Whether it’s ultimately a good decision or not, it’ll be a substantial one for Rhule—who is on the hottest of seats entering 2022.
