Baylor HC Matt Rhule can afford to wait for right NFL opportunity
Matt Rhule is again the subject of interest from NFL teams, but the Baylor head coach can afford to wait for the right opportunity.
Matt Rhule reportedly turned down the chance to take over as head coach of the New York Jets last offseason but looks set to have another opportunity to make the leap to the NFL in 2020.
Rhule, who has transformed Baylor from a 1-11 program into one of the best teams in the Big 12, is the favorite to replace Pat Shurmur as the head coach of the New York Giants, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Rhule is also a leading candidate for the Carolina Panthers’ head coaching vacancy but declined the opportunity to interview for the Cleveland Browns.
Per Sam Blum of the Dallas Morning News (h/t ProFootballTalk), Rhule told his players he is listening to the NFL.
Linebacker Terrel Bernard said of Rhule:
"“He said, if he has an opportunity to talk with an NFL team, it would be kinda dumb not to. Just for him, personally. We have a veteran team, I think all the guys understand where he’s coming from.”"
Rhule, though, has little reason to rush into an NFL job. The Giants, for all their talent at the offensive skill positions, are a long way from contending in the NFC. New York has significant holes on the offensive line and the defense and there is no guarantee Rhule would be able to transform the fortunes of a turnover-prone quarterback in Daniel Jones.
The Panthers would be a slightly better situation for Rhule to step into. He could either inherit Cam Newton or handpick his guy under center, but in an extremely difficult NFC South, a quick turnaround may be tough to achieve.
Were he to take the Giants or Panthers job and fail to improve their fortunes, it would be a significant black mark on Rhule’s resume. There is no such danger in remaining with Baylor, where Rhule has built a foundation for the Bears to have sustained success.
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As long as he continues to rack up wins in Waco, Rhule’s standing among college programs and NFL franchises will grow. Only three years into his head coaching career, Rhule has no reason to leave for a position that is not his ideal job. If the Giants or Panthers want to make him their next head coach, their pitch will have to be supremely impressive.