The Carolina Panthers lost to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, but not before some fans in attendance chanted “We want Moore” during a pivotal moment of the game. The chant came after Christian McCaffrey was penalized for taunting his opponent and sent back to play defense. Coaches Matt Rhule and Ron Rivera have both voiced their support for Cam Newton’s decision to defend teammate Devin Funchess from those chants with a wave of his hand at one point.
Cam Newton, the quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, was seen on camera backing his coach Matt Rhule after a fan chanted “Fire Rhule” during a loss.
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Cam Newton heard the booing when quarterback Sam Darnold took over early in the second quarter of the Carolina Panthers’ 32-6 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he also heard the “Fire Matt Rhule!” shouts.
With the Panthers (5-10) officially eliminated from postseason contention following their fifth consecutive defeat on Sunday, the 32-year-old quarterback is unsure what his future holds, but he feels the franchise has a future under the second-year head coach.
“Coach Rhule is a terrific coach,” Newton said after what might have been his last home game as a Panther. “Coach Rhule is a fantastic coach,” Newton, who is not under contract until 2022, said after what could have been his final home game as a Panther. Coach Rhule wasn’t playing, as far as I could tell.
“All I know is that we’re a terrific football squad.” It may not seem that way all of the time, but I know from what I’ve seen in practice and over the previous several weeks that we’re a terrific football team that can win. It’s simply a matter of us believing we can win rather than taking the easy way out and grunting games away.”
Rhule’s decision to introduce Darnold on the third series and then employ both quarterbacks the rest of the way was justified by the 2015 NFL MVP. Despite not being a fan of the two-quarterback system, Rhule made the choice earlier in the week because he believed it provided Carolina the greatest chance of winning.
“Newton said of what occurred Sunday, “I can tell you right now it wasn’t because of the coaching.” “It wasn’t because of anything someone said or did. The fact is that we’re all competing for work.
“You wouldn’t do it if you didn’t believe as a coach you wouldn’t do the correct things to win and establish your stay here.”
The booing were heard by Rhule as well, but he didn’t take them personally, at least not the ones directed at him.
“Rhule said, “I’m from Philadelphia.” “To me, it just demonstrates that people care. We’re not going to win. That is not an issue for me. People come to watch us play with their hard-earned money.
“It’s just part of the job when you’re the head coach and quarterback.” I’d rather have passion than indifference. I’d rather be under pressure than not at all. “I could do something different,” she says.
Despite the fact that Carolina is 10-21 with two games remaining in the season and is on pace for its fourth consecutive losing season, Rhule feels the organization is on the right track “1,000 percent.”
Rhule said this week that he has had no discussions regarding his future with owner David Tepper and that he has received no signal from ownership that his job is in danger less than two years after signing a seven-year, $60 million contract.
“Rhule, who turned over college teams at Temple and Baylor before joining the NFL in 2020, said, “I hate it for our fans that we’re not winning.” “I’m well aware of their desire to succeed. I get a call from them. I understand.
“However, when Dave hired me, he said, ‘I want everything done well.’” I’d want it to be done for the long haul. “I want you to construct it with young, developing players.”
Newton isn’t a child. This is his 11th season in the league, and he’s on his second stint with Carolina, the team that selected him first overall in the 2011 draft.
The fact that he is 0-5 as a starter this season after being hired to replace Darnold, who was placed on injured reserve following a Week 9 defeat to New England, and has lost 13 consecutive games as a starter at Carolina doesn’t help his case for a contract next year.
He spent most of the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game alone at the 25-yard line, reflecting on Darnold’s performance. He then sprinted directly to midfield to embrace Bucs quarterback Tom Brady before disappearing into the tunnel ahead of any of his teammates.
“”Football has been a blessing in my life,” Newton remarked. “I was fortunate to escape with my life intact. I know it seems like I’m leaving, but I’ve had a lot of fun. As we go ahead, I’m reminded that it takes more than one individual, more than one skill, and more than a few of men.
“It needs everyone knowing their position and what they have to perform in unison.”
Newton agreed there were things he may say if his kids weren’t watching, but added, “As far as this being my final go-around, no, I don’t feel like that, for more reasons than one.”
After seeing his quarterbacks sacked seven times and under stress more than once, Rhule wouldn’t even say whether Darnold will start over Newton next week in New Orleans.
“Right now, I have no expectations,” Rhule remarked. “There wasn’t much out there today that made you think, ‘Why don’t we do this?’
Even if the results aren’t there, Rhule anticipates making choices that put Carolina in the greatest position to win.
“We need to address a few major issues,” he stated. “However, I am certain that it is 100 percent effective. I apologize since I know no one can see it.”
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