Panthers owner: ‘We are totally confident’ in No. 1 pick Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper is still all in on No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young after firing head coach Frank Reich amid serious struggles on offense.

“As far as Bryce Young is concerned … I cannot say this, you know, for myself, and I think everybody in this would share this sentiment … We are totally confident in that pick,” Tepper told reporters Tuesday, according to NFL Network’s Andrew Siciliano.

The Panthers swung a pre-draft deal with the Chicago Bears and moved up to the No. 1 pick to select Young. But their investment hasn’t gone as hoped. The Alabama product has started his career with nine touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a 74.9 passer rating. Making matters worse, the Panthers sent a 2024 first-round pick to the Bears in the trade that would currently be the first overall selection.

Tepper revealed there was initially a different plan in which the Panthers would get the No. 2 selection and take C.J. Stroud, who is in the midst of an impressive rookie campaign.

“Originally we were gonna go to the No. 2 pick and we thought we’d get C.J., because we thought the Texans were gonna pick Bryce,” Tepper added, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “And listen, we preferred Bryce. He was our No. 1 pick. We had a lot of conviction.”

Young’s disappointing start, along with the offense’s struggles, led to the termination of Reich just 11 games into his first season as head coach. Carolina is 1-10 with an offense that ranks 29th in scoring and 30th in yardage.

Reich became the third head coach to be fired midseason since Tepper took over the Panthers’ ownership in 2018. It’s also the second straight year he has dismissed a head coach after Matt Rhule’s removal last season. Despite the constant changes in leadership, Tepper defended himself against criticism of his impatience.

“In other aspects of my life, we have people for 20-30 years who work for me,” the owner said, per USA Today’s Jori Epstein.” No one ever leaves me. I do have patience. My reputation away from this game is one of extreme patience.”

Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor is taking control of head coaching duties for the rest of the season.

Panthers owner frustrated with offense’s stagnation

Unsurprisingly, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper isn’t happy with what he’s seen from his team 10 weeks into the season.

Tepper is particularly frustrated with the Panthers’ offense and its lack of improvement, reports The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.

Carolina dropped to 1-8 following Thursday’s 16-13 loss to the Chicago Bears. The Panthers, who haven’t scored more than 15 points in any of their last three games, rank 27th in scoring despite using the first overall pick on quarterback Bryce Young in April. The team traded up to get the No. 1 pick from the Bears, giving up a package that included multiple first-round selections and star receiver D.J. Moore.

Carolina also named Frank Reich its new head coach during the offseason. A former quarterback, Reich has been unable to smoothen Young’s transition to the NFL. The Alabama product has completed 62.8% of his passes for 1,560 yards and eight touchdowns against seven interceptions through eight starts.

Some inside the Panthers organization believe the roster hasn’t been built correctly, according to Russini. However, there’s reportedly still a “unified belief” that Young is the quarterback of the future.

Carolina hasn’t made the playoffs since Tepper officially acquired the team in 2018.

Panthers owner talked to Jim Harbaugh about coaching vacancy

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper spoke with Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh about his team’s head coaching vacancy, a source told Joe Person of The Athletic.

Harbaugh will seemingly be in demand for an NFL return this offseason, with the Denver Broncos reportedly also reaching out to him about their job opening.

The 59-year-old is expected to leave the Wolverines if an NFL club offers him a job, sources close to Harbaugh told The Athletic. His buyout is reportedly $3 million.

Carolina fired Matt Rhule in mid-October after a 1-4 start to the season. He left with an 11-27 overall record and zero playoff appearances in two-plus campaigns.

Steve Wilks took over as interim head coach, but after leading the Panthers to five victories over the next 10 games, hopes of winning the NFC South ended with Sunday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team had already been eliminated from wild-card contention.

After returning to Michigan last offseason following an interview with the Minnesota Vikings, Harbaugh said was done seeking a return to the NFL. He coached the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14.

The Wolverines were upset by TCU on Saturday to fall short in the CFP semifinals for the straight second season.

Panthers’ Tepper: ‘Loss of intensity’ a factor in Rhule firing

Hours after firing head coach Matt Rhule, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper explained his rationale Monday.

Tepper said he had multiple reasons for making the change but ultimately felt it was the right time after the team’s 37-15 home defeat by the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

“There might have been a little bit of loss of intensity on the field yesterday,” Tepper said. “I would say that’s probably evident versus given the first four games.”

Rhule was dismissed following a 1-4 start and leaves with an 11-27 record over two-plus seasons with the franchise. Defensive pass game coordinator/secondary coach Steve Wilks was named the interim coach.

Carolina also relieved defensive coordinator Phil Snow and assistant special teams coordinator Ed Foley of their positions.

Tepper said he’s focused on building around Wilks and giving the team an opportunity to succeed rather than writing off the rest of the campaign.

“There’s a lot of season left and we’ll see how the season goes,” he said. “Ultimately, he’s in a position to be in consideration for that position. … Obviously, if (Wilks) does an incredible job, he has to be in consideration.”

Tepper noted that while the organization has made some progress, it’s still struggling to get over the hump. When asked what getting over the hump means to him, Tepper answered, “Winning.”

Identifying a franchise quarterback was a problem for Carolina during most of Rhule’s tenure. The Panthers attempted to address the issue by acquiring Sam Darnold (2021) and Baker Mayfield (2022) via trades without much luck. The team even brought back Cam Newton, but he was unable to regain his former MVP form in his second stint.

The owner suggested the Panthers need a culture change in order to win.

Tepper said he’d also like to see a better balance between the team’s general manager and head coach going forward, but he stated that it’s premature to question the status of general manager Scott Fitterer. “Scott is our GM,” he said.

Carolina hasn’t put together consecutive winning seasons since Tepper took control of the team in 2018.

Panthers owner: Matt Rhule has my full support

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper threw his support behind struggling head coach Matt Rhule on Wednesday, saying it takes patience and time to build a winning foundation in the NFL.

Rhule is 10-23 in his two seasons with the Panthers. Only the Lions, Texans, Jets and Jaguars have won fewer games than Carolina since Rhule’s arrival in 2020.

“Look, I believe in Matt and he has my full support,” Tepper said during a 30-minute videoconference with reporters on Wednesday.

Rhule is entering the third year of a seven-year, $62 million contract.

When asked if the success of the upcoming season will impact Rhule’s long-term future, Tepper replied, “This is a new season. … There is a saying that what was then is then, and what is now is now. And we’re in the now, not in the then.”

Tepper’s overriding message was one of patience, stressing that “Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is this team.”

He still feels as if the Panthers have some strong pieces to build around on the roster.

“I’ve said five years, five years, five years from the time coach Rhule was (hired) here, and maybe it will be six years, I don’t know, from the time he was hired,” Tepper said. “I think it is just building that foundation and having patience to build that foundation, and trying to get fans to have patience for that foundation, to have sustained winning.”

Tepper admitted that developing patience has been difficult for him.

The Panthers are 22-43 since he bought the team in 2018 from founder Jerry Richardson for a record $2.275 billion. Only once in the past four seasons have the Panthers won more than five games. Carolina has not been to the playoffs since Tepper took over.

“I have new appreciation for how stupid I am sometimes, quite frankly,” Tepper said. “I shouldn’t say that and people afterward are going to say, ‘why did you say that?’ But listen, it is hard, and I have a certain amount of humility in this respect.”

Tepper praised the additions Rhule made to his coaching staff this offseason which included hiring former NFL head coaches Steve Wilks (secondary) and Ben McAdoo (offensive coordinator) and long-time coaches Paul Pasqualoni (defensive line) and James Campen (offensive line) as assistants.

“That brings a lot more experience than the old staff,” Tepper said. “That’s a wealth of experience.”

The biggest hurdle for Tepper and the Panthers has been finding consistency at the quarterback position.

Teddy Bridgewater, Kyle Allen, Sam Darnold and Cam Newton have all struggled to find success in Carolina.

Darnold and P.J. Walker are the only QBs currently on the roster. Tepper said he still views Darnold as a good quarterback, but said the team is “always looking” to improve.

The Panthers have the sixth pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night and are likely to have their choice of Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett, Liberty’s Malik Willis or Mississippi’s Matt Corral if they choose to take a quarterback.

Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer said Tuesday the team is “comfortable” drafting a quarterback even though this is not generally considered a strong QB class with no true standout at that position.

Tepper declined to discuss a number of other pertinent topics, including the team’s unsuccessful pursuit of controversial quarterback Deshaun Watson.

He also refused to discuss the ongoing saga with the halted construction of the team’s half-built practice facility/headquarters in Rock Hill, South Carolina, saying he’s honoring the wishes of city officials there by not participating in back-and-forth conversations in the media. He reiterated he’s willing to sit down and talk with City of Rock Hill officials about funding for the $800 million project.

Panthers owner ’embarrassed’ by contract given to Rhule

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper is apparently disappointed with his investment in head coach Matt Rhule.

Tepper reportedly is “unhappy” and “embarrassed” after giving Rhule a seven-year, $62-million contract to become Carolina’s head coach in 2020, sources told The Athletic’s Joseph Person.

Rhule, who was hired to rebuild the Panthers, has done little to keep his end of the bargain. Carolina finished 5-11 last season and is 5-10 entering Week 17 this season, despite a 3-0 start.

The 46-year-old defended his track record following a lopsided 32-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16.

“I believe it’s 1000% working, I just know no one can see it, and I apologize,” Rhule said last Sunday.

The head coach also told reporters earlier this week that Tepper had expressed “nothing but confidence” about him moving forward, according to team reporter Darin Gantt.

The Panthers have struggled with stability since making a Super Bowl appearance during the 2015 season. The club will have failed to finish with a winning record in five of the last six seasons following the conclusion of the 2021 campaign.

Panthers owner: ‘Some fans’ could be allowed to attend NFL games

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper believes that while the NFL won’t have full stadiums in 2020, a limited number of fans could be permitted to attend games.

“You won’t be having full stadiums, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fans in the stadium either,” Tepper said Wednesday, according to CNBC’s Kevin Stankiewicz. “If you’re comfortable being in a closed airplane for a cross-country trip, 18 inches apart, maybe with two seats in between you and being 5 feet away from each other, you might be comfortable in an open-air stadium.”

Tepper added, “There should be some amount of fans in the stadiums, depending on what locale and where you are and what the local rules are. There could possibly be.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis opened his state for pro sports this week, while Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced professional sports activities can resume as of May 16. Meanwhile, Los Angeles County’s stay-at-home order is expected to be extended for the next three months, according to the L.A. Times’ Colleen Shalby and Sarah Parvini.

It’s still unclear when NFL teams will officially open their facilities. The league, which extended its virtual offseason period through May 29, has been operating under the belief that the season will take place as scheduled. However, contingency plans have been discussed and reportedly include potentially pushing back Super Bowl LV.

The NFL reportedly agreed to give clubs access to extra alternative money by raising teams’ debt limits by $150 million this season to ease financial hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Panthers want clarity on Newton’s health before deciding future

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper suggested Tuesday that Cam Newton‘s health will determine whether the franchise moves forward with him at quarterback.

“Listen, I’m not a doctor,” Tepper said, according to Steve Reed of The Associated Press. “I said it a million times: Is he healthy? He’s not a doctor. So there is a lot of different things that can happen. Tell me that and then we can talk.”

Injuries have derailed Newton’s last two seasons, as he was limited to just two games in 2019 due to a foot issue. He underwent surgery Dec. 11 after a failed rehabilitation that spanned multiple months.

“The overwhelming No. 1 thing is to see how healthy he is, and how we can figure out when he is healthy or not,” Tepper added. “Everything comes from that.”

Newton, who’ll turn 31 in May, has one season left on his contract. The Panthers could save $19 million against the salary cap by trading or releasing him. However, Tepper said Carolina hasn’t fielded any trade inquiries for Newton.

Before Super Bowl LIV, Newton said he “absolutely” expects to return to the Panthers in 2020 and left a meeting with Tepper and new head coach Matt Rhule feeling “inspired.”

Newton, drafted first overall in 2011, was named league MVP in 2015.

Charlotte awarded MLS expansion team

Major League Soccer announced Tuesday that Charlotte will be home to the league’s 30th team.

Charlotte will join expansion franchises in Miami, Nashville, Sacramento, and St. Louis.

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper led the expansion drive.

“We are thrilled to announce Charlotte as Major League Soccer’s 30th club,” league commissioner Don Garber said in a statement. “During the last two decades, Charlotte has experienced enormous energy and growth, which matches soccer’s explosive rise in popularity in the United States.

“We are pleased to add David Tepper to our ownership group and look forward to working with him and his entire organization to launch Major League Soccer in the Carolinas in 2021.”

Tepper paid a record $325-million entry fee to enroll Charlotte in MLS, according to The Washington Post’s Steven Goff. By contrast, ownership groups for St. Louis and Sacramento forked over $200 million.

“The awarding of an expansion team for Charlotte by Major League Soccer is a proud moment and significant for Charlotte and everyone in our community,” Tepper said. “I’ve made clear for a long time that I have two goals as a team owner: sustained winning on the field and making a difference in the community.”

Charlotte has drawn big crowds for soccer in the past. More than 60,000 people attended friendlies in 2015 between Liverpool and AC Milan, and between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. Bank of America Stadium, home of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, also hosted matches during the group stage of the 2019 Gold Cup.

Robert Kraft hopes Diddy becomes NFL owner

Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was among those who submitted a bid to purchase the Carolina Panthers, eventually losing out to hedge fund manager David Tepper.

But if Combs attempts to buy another NFL franchise, he’ll have the support of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

“I hope so. I’m a big fan of his,” Kraft told TMZ Sports on Saturday when asked if he thinks Combs will ever become an owner.

TMZ also asked Combs if he thinks ownership is a possibility.

“It’s time. It’s definitely time,” he replied.

That comment is a change from last June, when Combs distanced himself from the NFL after the league introduced its short-lived national anthem policy. “I don’t want to be associated with oppressing black men,” Combs said at the time.