Matt Rhule pressed on job interest from college teams

The coaching carousel has already started running just a few weeks into the football season. While there are already some high-profile college jobs open or potentially set to become open, no big moves have been made in the NFL yet. However, some NFL coaches could find themselves in the college ranks soon depending on how the pro season plays out.

One of the biggest NFL names involved in those discussions is Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule. After leaving following a successful final season at Baylor, Rhule hasn’t found his NFL footing. He has posted just an 11-26 record over just over two seasons. With a 1-3 start in 2022, Rhule’s seat has only gotten hotter but he still maintains the fact that he is the head man in Charlotte.

While being asked about college jobs, Rhule’s responses have been short and sweet.

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“I’m the Carolina Panther head coach,” says Rhule.

That may not be the case for much longer. With jobs like Wisconsin, Nebraska, Arizona State, and Colorado already open and jobs like Auburn potentially available, he may become a candidate in college down the road. It all depends on the Panther’s season unfolds and what direction the front office decides to go in from there.

Sam Darnold ‘not close’ to returning from preseason ankle injury

Sam Darnold is on his way back for the Panthers and is eligible to be activated off injured reserve. However, there’s still a ways to go until he can return to the field.

Earlier this season, Darnold suffered a high ankle sprain in the preseason against the Buffalo Bills. Prior, he had been battling with now-starting quarterback Baker Mayfield for the job in Carolina. However, with Mayfield struggling immensely for the Panthers, many have wondered whether Darnold could return to the starting lineup.

Well, Adam Schefter of ESPN essentially screamed “not so fast!” at Panthers fans everywhere. He revealed Darnold is “still not close” to getting back on the field in Carolina.

“Panthers’ QB Sam Darnold is now eligible to come off of injured reserve, but he’s still not close to being from the high ankle sprain he suffered in late August, per source,” tweeted Schefter. “It’s still, in the words of a source, ‘going to be a while.’”

This offseason, the Panthers brought in the aforementioned Mayfield, who has only completed 54.7% of his passes thus far on the season. He has only amassed four touchdowns, three interceptions and 747 passing yards in four games. Carolina has only managed to win one game, and head coach Matt Rhule is feeling his seat get warm.

Nevertheless, it looks like Baker Mayfield will have plenty of time to right the ship, as Sam Darnold deals with rehabbing his ankle injury. Still, if the former Heisman quarterback can’t get things going by the time Darnold is ready to return, a change at quarterback could be in the cards for the Panthers.