Panthers coach Ron Rivera feels ‘pretty good’ about job security

The Carolina Panthers are set to miss the playoffs for the first time in three years.

However, this has seemingly created chatter that head coach Ron Rivera’s job is on the line. In response to that, Rivera has voiced that he doesn’t believe that he is on the hot seat, according to David Newton of ESPN.

“I feel pretty good about it,” Rivera said Friday when asked about his future with the team. “My intention, and everything I’ve been doing, is working toward the future, and we’ll go from there. My conversations with the owner have been all positive.”

This strong belief from Rivera may stem from a large amount of success he has had over his tenure with the franchise. He has led the team to four playoff appearances in his first eight seasons. This includes reaching that mark in four out of the last six years, along with reaching the Super Bowl.

Rivera has been a stabilizing force for the Panthers that has helped make the team a constant in the playoff picture. This season was derailed by a porous second half of the year that has seen them drop their last seven straight games.

However, what has stood out is that first-year owner David Tepper has yet to publicly state that Rivera will be back next season. This shouldn’t be seen as a negative as it may be Tepper sitting in the background to allow the team to handle things on the field.

Nonetheless, Rivera’s fate will be known in the next several days after the season finale on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.