Ex-Panthers coach Ron Rivera on what growing NFL teams need most

On November 15, 2024By Littum

Former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera talks about what he thinks NFL teams should focus on. Specifically, Rivera is calling for changes in how teams manage their younger quarterbacks and coaches.

The Panthers, for their part, were quick to bench Bryce Young after two poor performances at the start of the season before eventually switching back to him in Week 8 due to an Andy Dalton thumb injury. However, Rivera preaches patience.

Speaking in an interviewRivera said of the recent benchings of young quarterbacks. Speaking of former team owner Jerry Richardson, Rivera said, “He understood that we built and what did we get? Quarterback. Quarterback. We got our quarterback on offense and we got our quarterback on defense.”

At their best, Rivera’s Panthers built their success on former quarterback Cam Newton and middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, who “quarterbacked” the defense. Both were influential in the Panthers’ run to Super Bowl 50. The former coach commented on the performances that both Newton and Kuechly had with the Panthers. He said, “Both guys were rookie of the year at one point, and both guys were MVP for their side of the ball at one point.” Both Newton and Kuechly found their footing in the league, but it required patience from the Panthers.

Patience in the building – ring a bell?

At a moment when owners — especially our own — have shown quite a bit of patience with coaches and QBs, Rivera argues that this patience is necessary. pic.twitter.com/cNqhfBSFyq

— Carolina Panthers Pride (@pantherspridex) 14 November 2024

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