Rhule files arbitration suit for $5M vs. Panthers

Matt Rhule has filed an arbitration suit with the NFL against the Panthers seeking about $5 million in offset severance compensation, according to reports Wednesday.

Rhule was fired as Panthers head coach after Week 5 of the NFL season, less than three years into a seven-year, $62 million contract. He was 11-27 as head coach with the Panthers. At the time of his dismissal, Rhule was owed approximately $34 million.

Rhule, 48, returned to college coaching in November when he was hired by Nebraska, receiving a reported eight-year, $72 million contract that seemingly offset what the Panthers owed him.

But the arbitration suit alleges the Panthers still owe him about $5 million because of how the contract was structured.

Eagles reserve OL Josh Sills has been indicted on rape and kidnapping charges that stem from an incident in Ohio just over three years ago. The NFL on Wednesday put the rookie who has played just four snaps this season on the commissioner’s exempt list. That means he can’t practice, play or travel with the Eagles as they prepare for the Super Bowl . ... Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones confirmed Mike McCarthy will call plays next season, and that McCarthy will run a version of the West Coast offense he used as coach of the Packers from 2006 to 2018.

NBA: LeBron James moved within 89 points of breaking the NBA’s career scoring record and climbed into fourth place on the assists list, finishing with a triple-double in his return to Madison Square Garden as the Lakers beat the Knicks 129-123 in OT on Tuesday. James, 38, had 28 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in the victory.

Olympics: Latvia has threatened to boycott the 2024 Paris Summer Games if athletes from Russia and ally Belarus are allowed to take part after the country’s invasion of Ukraine. There has been criticism from governments of IOC plans to let them compete as neutral athletes.