Report: Rhule files arbitration suit against Panthers over severance pay
Former Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule filed an arbitration suit against the franchise on Jan. 25, sources told CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones.
Rhule, whom Carolina fired in October, is reportedly claiming the Panthers are refusing to pay his severance compensation.
While the suit doesn't specify how much money Rhule is seeking, contract terms indicate there's around $5 million in dispute, added Jones.
The Panthers hired Rhule ahead of the 2020 season, inking him to a seven-year contract worth more than $60 million. However, he was fired after back-to-back losing seasons and a 1-4 start to the 2022 campaign.
Nebraska hired Rhule as its new head coach in November and signed him to an eight-year contract, which reportedly begins with a $5.5-million salary and escalates to $12.5 million in the final year.
Carolina reportedly will argue Rhule's new deal violates the NFL's anti-tampering policy because of an unreasonable salary increase of greater than 20%.
Rhule's arbitration suit should be concluded within the next few weeks, added Jones.
The Panthers named former Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich as Rhule's successor last Thursday.