A report from last month pointed to Fitterer being proven the door to coincide with one more seek for a brand new head coach. The longtime Seahawks exec had obtained a vote of confidence within the wake of Matt Rhule being let go, however a repeat on that entrance won’t happen. The Panthers now be part of the Chargers and Raiders as groups with GM openings.
After a 5-12 marketing campaign in his 2021 Carolina debut, Fitterer has tried to discover a long-term reply for the franchise on the quarterback place. That included the commerce acquisition of Baker Mayfield final summer time. The previous No. 1 choose struggled mightily in Charlotte, nevertheless, and he was gone by the point the season got here to an finish. Working again Christian McCaffrey had been dealt away by the top of the 7-10 marketing campaign, leaving the Panthers in want of an organizational reset.
That effort was constructed largely on the blockbuster transfer to amass the highest choose within the 2023 draft from the Bears. The Panthers despatched Chicago a package deal together with two first-round choices, two second-rounders and wideout D.J. Moore to maneuver to the highest of the draft board. That maneuver resulted in Bryce Young being chosen, one thing which happened after an inner decision-making course of that has been the topic of appreciable hypothesis and scrutiny.
As ex-head coach Frank Reich has made clear, Tepper performed a central position within the resolution to pick out Younger over different signal-callers accessible (specifically C.J. Stroud). Younger’s struggles led to a really poor offensive displaying, one thing which knowledgeable Reich’s dismissal after solely 11 video games on the helm. No matter how a lot weight his voice carried within the Younger choice, Fitterer has drawn criticism for authorizing the commerce and for failing to insulate Younger with an satisfactory offensive line in his rookie 12 months.
Total, the Panthers posted a 14-37 document throughout Fitterer’s run. That represents the league’s worst mark over that span, and with this 12 months’s prime choose belonging to the Bears, the trail to contending standing will likely be a troublesome one for his alternative to navigate. Among the many prime priorities for the brand new GM will likely be understanding the way forward for Professional Bowl edge rusher Brian Burns. The previous first-rounder is because of attain free company this offseason, and both a franchise tag or a long-term deal will should be in place to maintain him in Charlotte for 2024 and past. Talks on an extension have not produced much traction to date, however a brand new face on the negotiating desk might result in progress.
Whereas interim head coach Chris Tabor will likely be changed over the approaching weeks, probably by an outdoor candidate, the identical will not be true for Fitterer’s successor. Assistant GM Dan Morgan is liked within the organization, and he has an opportunity to be promoted to the full-time position. Given Tepper’s less-than-stellar status (notably with respect to meddling), it is going to be attention-grabbing to see how a lot of a market this emptiness generates.
2024 marks the primary time in Tepper’s tenure that the Panthers have a simultaneous opening on the head coach and basic supervisor positions. Evidently, the approaching weeks will due to this fact have a profound impression on the short- and long-term route of the franchise as a rebound from this 12 months’s 2-15 slate is sought out.
