Report: Panthers owner 'embarrassed' by contract given to Rhule

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper is apparently disappointed with his investment in head coach Matt Rhule.

Tepper reportedly is "unhappy" and "embarrassed" after giving Rhule a seven-year, $62-million contract to become Carolina's head coach in 2020, sources told The Athletic's Joseph Person.

Rhule, who was hired to rebuild the Panthers, has done little to keep his end of the bargain. Carolina finished 5-11 last season and is 5-10 entering Week 17 this season, despite a 3-0 start.

The 46-year-old defended his track record following a lopsided 32-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16.

"I believe it's 1000% working, I just know no one can see it, and I apologize," Rhule said last Sunday.

The head coach also told reporters earlier this week that Tepper had expressed "nothing but confidence" about him moving forward, according to team reporter Darin Gantt.

The Panthers have struggled with stability since making a Super Bowl appearance during the 2015 season. The club will have failed to finish with a winning record in five of the last six seasons following the conclusion of the 2021 campaign.