The Carolina Panthers head into this week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals at 0-2 on the season and with quarterback Cam Newton unlikely to play.
It’s just the latest example of the Ron Rivera-led squad failing to remain relevant. Carolina finished last season 7-9 after earning a playoff appearance in 2017.
With things going downhill fast, Rivera is now the betting favorite to be the first NFL head coach fired this season (via Odds Shark).
Here’s a look at the top-five overall odds to be the first coach fired.
- Ron Rivera, Carolina Panthers: +350
- Dan Quinn, Atlanta Falcons: +400
- Jay Gruden, Washington Redskins: +500
- Doug Marrone, Jacksonville Jaguars: +550
- Matt Patricia, Detroit Lions: +900
Rivera, Gruden and Marrone are all leading teams that have failed to win a game this season. Quinn and the Falcons are coming off a narrow victory over an injury-plagued Eagles team after being blown out by the Vikings in Week 1.
Meanwhile, Marrone’s Jaguars are on the brink. Star cornerback Jalen Ramsey just requested a trade after getting into it with the head coach during last week’s loss to Houston. Jacksonville has won five of its past 20 regular-season games.
Patricia’s status is the most interesting here. He’s led Detroit to a 1-0-1 start to the season and has only coached 18 regular-season games with the team.
As it relates to Rivera, things could snowball here in the short term if Newton is not able to return from his current foot injury, the Panthers could be forced to start youngster Kyle Allen over the short term.
Following Sunday’s game against a winless Cardinals team, Carolina takes on the Houston Texans before two relatively easy outings against the Jaguars and Buccaneers.
If the team were to enter its Week 7 bye with one win or less, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Rivera canned after eight-plus seasons as Carolina’s head coach.