Matt Rhule Starting off His Reign With Panthers by Trading Trai Turner is a Terrible Look

When Matt Rhule signed a record contract to become the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, expectations were high from the get-go. That makes his decision on Wednesday so puzzling.

Rhule's first move at the helm in Carolina sent a 26-year-old five-time Pro Bowler making $8.5 million in Trai Turner to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a 31-year-old two-time Pro Bowler making $13 million in tackle Russell Okung. Those numbers alone illustrate a damaging one-sidedness to this trade for Rhule and the Panthers.

Rhule, who has never made a trade in his life, decided to boldly open his career with this. How does swapping Turner for Okung improve anything for the Panthers, especially when thinking about the future?

The Panthers are coming off a 5-11 year and have only gotten worse this offseason. Star linebacker Luke Keuchly announced his retirement shortly after Rhule was hired and then tight end Greg Olsen signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

Is Okung supposed to fill the void of those departures, plus that of Turner?

Yes, the tackle position is of higher value than the guard position, but Turner had more years left on his contract, and overall, had more long-term value as a building block on the roster. Not to mention he simply performed his job better than Okung despite having less experience.

Rhule said in his introductory press conference that he wants Carolina to "have a great team that endures forever." Nothing lasts forever in the NFL, and Rhule might learn that soon if this trade blows up in his face.