Take Tepper To The Trash

The Carolina Panthers have solidified their position as the worst team in the NFL after finishing the season with a 2-15 record. The last game of their season, a matchup against division rivals Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ended in a shutout loss. This disappointing outcome also means that the Panthers will yet again miss the playoffs, marking their seventh consecutive year without a postseason appearance. As the Panthers are a historically weak franchise, another year without seeing the postseason should be nothing new for fans. However, this season was supposed to be different, the breakthrough, “This Year is our Year” season. This optimism was due to big changes in the organization in the offseason. 

In the NFL Draft, Carolina was able to land with their first-pick privileges a much-needed quarterback in Bryce Young, who was hailed as the number 1 quarterback prospect coming out of college. Young’s signing excited Carolinia fans, several hoping the former Heisman winner and National Champion would become the first “franchise” QB since Cam Newton. In college, Young displayed top-tier agility, athleticism, and decision-making skills; fans hoped these would facilitate his transition to the NFL. 

In addition to Young, the Panthers secured a star during the offseason in wide receiver Adam Theilen. A veteran player, Theilen was a top receiver for the Minnesota Vikings in 2022 and was signed to replace WR DJ Moore, who was traded to the Chicago Bears. Fans’ hopes also centered around Panthers defensive end Brian Burns. Burns had a breakout season in 2022, recording 12.5 sacks and receiving Pro Bowl honors, and fans expected him to bring new life to a dormant Carolina defense. 

Even after a dismal 0-3 start in the preseason, a quarterback predestined to follow in the footsteps of the great Cam Newton kept fans’ morale high. Fans crowded around their televisions for Carolina’s season-opener against the Atlanta Falcons hoping to see Young's first NFL victory. However, tragedy was about to strike. It would be eight weeks until the Panthers won their first game of the 2023 season and another seven before they would earn their second. 

An empty Bank of America Stadium Credit: Google Images

Panthers fans and sports critics have attributed Carolina’s woes to two problems: underwhelming player performances and a dysfunctional staff. The Panthers lacked the talent to win games. Bryce Young and Brian Burns failed to perform at expected levels. Burns made 13 fewer tackles and recorded 4.5 fewer sacks compared to his 2022 breakout season. Young has not lived up to the initial hype, ranking 20th among all QBs in passing yards (2,877), 28th in touchdown passes (11), and 29th in QBR (33.3). For comparison, Cam Newton, Carolina’s only other 1st overall draft pick, recorded over 4,000 yards passing and 21 touchdown passes as a rookie in 2011, with a weaker offense than Young’s. 

However, the Panthers’ lackluster performance on offense does not fall on the QB alone. Carolina’s offensive line allowed 160 pressures this season including 65 sacks, a league-worst. Additionally, the team finished last in points per game. A lack of offensive weapons around Young has resulted in the Panthers ranking in the bottom third of the NFL in rushing yards, receiving yards, and touchdowns. 

The team’s defense is a mess as well. Several injuries throughout the season prevented the squad, which was weak to begin with, from operating at full strength. Carolina’s defense finished the season ranked last in sacks and pressures and led the NFL in tackles missed.  

Arguably the Panthers’ most detrimental weakness is staff dysfunction, the consequences of which have plagued the team this season. Several sources have described the team’s management as having a “Hunger Games culture,” wherein coaches and staff have, in multiple instances, withheld information from the Head Coach and owner in fear for their jobs. 

At the center of this mania is team owner David Tepper. Since his purchase of the franchise in 2018, Tepper has acquired a reputation for being too controlling, especially given he had no prior experience in the football world. Tepper has lived up to his reputation. 

In November, Tepper fired Head Coach Frank Reich after a 1-10 start, replacing him with former Special Teams Coordinator Chris Tabor. Reich lasted only 11 games in Carolina, one of the shortest tenures in NFL history as a Head Coach. Tepper also fired Assistant Coach Duce Staley and Quarterbacks coach Josh McCown. In the final weeks of the 2023 season, Tepper fired General Manager Scott Fitterer, who was unable to achieve a winning season after three years with Carolina.  

Possibly David Tepper’s most shameful moment occurred during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 31st. His team losing, an irritable Tepper became bitter when Jaguars fans seated below his VIP suite began to taunt him. One fan’s words enraged the Panthers owner so much that, in a childlike outburst, he hurled his drink at a Jags fan. The Tepper tantrum was caught on camera and went viral in the NFL community. In response, the league fined him $300,000. 

Having traded for the number one overall slot in 2023, the Panthers will not hold first round pick privileges this offseason. Carolina’s success next year will heavily depend on Bryce Young’s performance. With little to no optimism heading into the 2024 season, Panthers fans will unfortunately have to suck it up and thug it out.