Matt Rhule has had a ton on his plate since taking over the Carolina Panthers. But when it comes to “picking” his starting quarterback for the upcoming season, it’s a meal that’ll have to be shared.
The third-year head coach spoke with reporters on Tuesday in Spartanburg, S.C. as players filed in for the start of training camp. When asked about where rookie Matt Corral stands, specifically in the competition headlined by Sam Darnold and newcomer Baker Mayfield, he gave reporters an interesting way to look at their current landscape under center.
“I want us to be a competitive team,” he said. “I talk about competition all the time, meaning you gotta fight for what you want. Again, my job is not to pick the starting quarterback. I have to make that decision. It’s the guys’ play. Russell Wilson, ya know, walked into a situation in Seattle with Matt Flynn, who had just had a guaranteed contract and Charlie Whitehurst, they just traded for, and he won the job. So I want competition. The best player will play.”
Rhule, of course, isn’t saying that selecting his starting quarterback isn’t in his job description. (It better be at $8.5 million a year.)
He is, rather, insinuating that the job is up for the grabs and it’s up to the passers themselves to prove who deserves it most. That mindset also falls in line with Rhule’s renewed approach this season—one that has given the team more of an inclusive, player-driven atmosphere.
And hey, it seems like Corral shouldn’t be counted out just yet, huh?