Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper signaled change was coming when he fired the most successful coach in franchise history with four weeks remaining last season. Parting ways with Ron Rivera didn’t come as a surprise but naming former Baylor coach Matt Rhule as his replacement did. Hiring a collegiate coach with little NFL experience is uncommon but Tepper is methodically putting his own stamp on the Panthers organization.
Already this offseason Carolina has lost linebacker Luke Kuechly to retirement and parted ways with veteran tight end Greg Olsen. In addition, the list of potential free agents is long and the health of quarterback Cam Newton remains up in the air.