When the Panthers played the Rams on Sunday, they didn’t make a statement, but interim coach Steve Wilks did by benching wide receiver Robbie Anderson late in the third quarter following an incident with position coach Joe Dailey.
After his first game in charge, a 24-10 defeat, Wilks said of Anderson, “No one is greater than the team.” Rhule was sacked on Monday and Wilks was named interim coach. I won’t single somebody out or give them special treatment.
After The First Half, Dailey
After getting into a heated argument with Dailey at the end of the first half, Anderson spent the opening few minutes of the second half riding a stationary bike while wearing a baseball hat.
Anderson sat alone on a cooler at the end of the third quarter while the rest of the offense conferred on the sideline.
With the Panthers behind 17-10 and have not recorded a first down since the first quarter, Anderson and Dailey had another confrontation later in the third quarter. Wilks intervened and sent Anderson to the changing room.
When asked why he was sent there, Anderson said that he “had no clue.” Anderson met with general manager Scott Fitterer and then decided to address the media, even though Dailey was unavailable for comment. Anderson said, “I was honestly puzzled.”
“In short, I yearned for participation. No one has ever yelled at me to leave the game before. Therefore, I was perplexed and frustrated by it. Perhaps I ought to.
I can’t see a real competitor who knows their worth and loves the game being OK with being told not to do something or being kicked out of something when they haven’t done anything wrong.”
The defeat was Carolina’s 12th in the previous 13 games going back to last season, and Anderson made it plain that he wasn’t informed he had to talk to the media following their fifth loss in six games this season.
Off-The-Field Events Marred His Florida State Career
Anderson, referencing off-field events during his time at Florida State and with the New York Jets in the NFL, stated, “I don’t want people to have a misperception of me.” I didn’t stand up for myself the other times I was in a tense situation in my life, he said.
This is not something that concerns just me. When children face comparable situations, they need to know how to advocate for themselves.” The news that he couldn’t play would have devastated anybody, according to Anderson.
Not being on that turf should not make you feel comfortable, he said. “Playmaking is something you should be interested in. It’s unacceptable to lose. In other words, you’re not in this to lose.
Growing up, I was probably a loser in your eyes. I didn’t make it this far in life to waste it being a failure. That isn’t why I go to work every day.” Rhule signed Anderson to play for the Panthers in 2020 after he had spent the previous four years with the Jets.
He had a great year with 95 receptions and 1,096 receiving yards while playing under Rhule at Temple. Before the 2021 season, Anderson was awarded a two-year, $29.5 million agreement until 2023.
That year, he caught only 53 passes for 519 yards, despite the extension. On Sunday, Anderson failed to record a catch. In the season opener against the Cleveland Browns, Baker Mayfield threw him a touchdown pass that he caught for 75 yards and a total of 13.
Carolina Was Willing to Trade for Anderson
In the days leading up to the game, ESPN reported that a league source said Anderson was a player the Panthers were open to moving. The Panthers, who restructured Anderson’s deal in March, would incur a dead-cap charge of $20 million this year and next if they were to sell him.
While the acquiring club would assume his $575,000 pay for the remainder of the season. Anderson stated, “I’ve been in trade rumors before.” “It’s all in a day’s work That’s okay; I’m not affected by it.”
Anderson responded to a question about a possible trade by saying, “In no uncertain terms do I want a trade. God may direct my life any way he sees fit; I’m giving up control. I’m going to give him time to work things out.”
Both Anderson and Wilks stated they intended to communicate before Anderson appeared with the media, but they hadn’t yet.
“If there’s one thing I do, and if there’s one thing I’ll always do, it’s given my all for this team,” Anderson said. “In other words, I’m not in it for the money. I play not for glory but for fun. I’m a huge football fan, and that’s why I play this game.”
Finishing Line
I’ve been keeping my head down and working hard this week despite everything that’s happened. Helping us achieve the goal of a Super Bowl victory is all I care about. To achieve it is the reason I play the game.”
Wilks did not say whether or not Anderson will participate in the next week’s NFC South matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
I, along with everyone else, am being reviewed, Wilks added. We need to find the perfect offensive and defensive synergy to put out on the field.