When Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper fired Ron Rivera with four games remaining, it signaled his commitment to making a change and hopefully improving his team moving forward. A year after watching Carolina lose seven of their final eight, another second-half collapse ended with eight straight losses even after Rivera was removed this season.
Tepper hired former Baylor coach Matt Rhule to replace Rivera, taking over a team with some questions to answer but a solid core group of players. The health of quarterback Cam Newton and looming decisions on tight end Greg Olsen and cornerback James Bradberry were known but the Panthers were also set to return running back Christian McCaffrey and linebacker Luke Kuechly, along with an exciting young group of receivers.