Panthers planning to stick with Matt Rhule for third season

It still is unclear if the Giants will stick with Joe Judge, but the Panthers are giving Judge’s old competition a longer leash.

Matt Rhule will get what Judge wants — a third season — with the Panthers, ESPN reported Saturday.

Rhule, who was a front-runner for the Giants’ job in January 2020 before Carolina pounced on the Baylor coach, will survive a disappointing first two seasons in which he has posted a 10-22 record entering the season finale against the Buccaneers.

The losing has included a fired offensive coordinator — Joe Brady in early December — reports of team owner David Tepper being embarrassed by the seven-year, $62 million deal he gave Rhule and “Fire Rhule” chants during the most recent Carolina home game.

It took Rhule three seasons to elevate first Temple and then Baylor, which the 46-year-old has emphasized. Carolina has not been able to keep Christian McCaffrey healthy and, after a strong 3-0 start led by Sam Darnold, has failed in turning the quarterback into a stronger version than the Jets saw. The Panthers went 0-5 in games started by Cam Newton and P.J. Walker, who had replaced the injured Darnold.

Losses have added up and so has frustration. According to an Athletic report, Panthers players have felt as if Rhule treats them like they’re still in college, and many throughout the game believe he values his Temple and Baylor connections — which fill his roster — too highly.

Still, he will get a third season to show he can turn the team around, while New York awaits to see what the Giants do with Judge.

Already fired has been the Jaguars’ Urban Meyer. Jon Gruden is gone from the Raiders, but interim head coach Rich Bisaccia has a chance to get the full-time job. Reports have indicated Matt Nagy is on shaky ground in Chicago, and there are questions whether Denver (Vic Fangio) and Minnesota (Mike Zimmer) will have openings, too.