Steve Smith Sr. rips Matt Rhule’s handling of Cam Newton in 2021

Now that Matt Rhule has been officially dismissed by the Carolina Panthers, we’re going to hear some interesting stories and takes about the two-and-a-half-year run in the coming weeks. So, why not start with a franchise great?

On Monday’s edition of his Cut To It podcast, Carolina’s all-time leading receiver Steve Smith Sr. discussed his former employer’s decision to part ways with their head coach. The retired wideout, at one point, questioned Rhule’s approach—specifically addressing his handling of quarterback Cam Newton in 2021.

Steve Smith speaks on Matt Rhule throwing Cam Newton under the bus after joining the team with only a week of practice. pic.twitter.com/iJpnwP5qFn

— The 4 Man Rush (@4ourmanrush) October 11, 2022

Smith Sr. could be referring to one of two instances (or maybe even both) where Rhule publicly criticized Newton last season. The first came after Carolina’s Week 14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, when he knocked Cam for two turnovers.

“He put two balls on the ground—one dropped snap on the second drive, one handoff on the 40-yard line going in we’re down by six,” Rhule said. “I think looking ahead, Cam continues to work, to learn. But our quarterback can’t have two turnovers in two straight games. We’re not gonna win that way. So we have to protect the football a little bit better and kinda go from there.”

The second jab would come just one week later, following their defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Bills. Rhule would strangely direct the blame for a botched fourth-down play at Newton.

“It’s a zone read,” Rhule said as he defended himself and his offensive coordinator. “There’s a bubble on there in case an unblocked blitzer comes. The Mike point, we had that guy blocked. So, that’s just an error by the quarterback. That should be a handoff, first down. He pulls the ball, there’s only one guy over there. Just poor execution. But it was the right play call by Jeff [Nixon]. It’s gonna be a first down.”

So, as Smith Sr. is implying, let that be a lesson to all you coaches out there. It’s good to back your players up, not back up a bus all over them.