The worst NFL team overruled former Panthers head coach Matt Rhule’s desire to draft quarterback Brock Purdy, a superstar.
Recently dismissed Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule revealed to reporters that he advocated for adding 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy to the team’s draft board but encountered a “veto,” according to footage from KETV’s Matt Foster.
Addressing the media from the podium in his new role as head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Rhule shared, “When I was in the draft room at Carolina, I brought his name up. I said he should be on the draft board. I got vetoed on that one.” Rhule highlighted his past coaching encounters with Purdy in the Big 12, where Rhule led the Baylor Bears, and Purdy served as the signal caller for the Iowa State Cyclones.
Rhule added a humorous anecdote about cautioning his players against falling for Purdy’s pump fake, despite them frequently succumbing to it. He reminisced, “We used to tell our guys when we were playing Brock Purdy ‘do not, do not, fall for his pump fake,’ right? Brock would come out and pump fake. First game, he gets ten yards down the field, he pump fakes, our DBs are jumping, I’m like ‘he’s past the line of scrimmage.'” Rhule expressed respect for Purdy’s abilities.
The author of the paraphrased text interjected with a personal opinion, expressing no surprise at Rhule being overruled. Criticism was directed at the Panthers’ management, labeling them as the most poorly run franchise in the NFL since owner David Tepper’s acquisition in 2018. The recent actions cited included trading star D.J. Moore, firing head coach Frank Reich mid-season, and hiring a rookie head coach, Dave Canales. The franchise’s dysfunction was extended off the field, with Tepper fined for throwing a drink at an opposing fan in December. The Panthers’ lackluster performance, with no winning season since Tepper’s takeover, was highlighted, leaving the outlook for Panthers fans seemingly grim.
