Heading into Week 16, the Carolina Panthers are the worst team in the NFL, at 2-12. David Tepper already fired head coach Frank Reich, in the latest indication that a quicker turnaround was expected, if not mandated.
While there are coaching changes in sports every single year, for the Panthers, this has become a trend under Tepper’s ownership, which began in 2018. Despite being at the controls for parts of five seasons, Tepper has already made three coaching changes, and a fourth is on the way later this offseason.
Not only are the Panthers playing musical chairs with head coaches, but their decision to trade up to the No. 1 overall pick and select Bryce Young hasn’t played out the way Carolina envisioned. It’s all led to the organization being painted in a negative light, with the criticism starting at the top with Tepper, who’s now being labeled as a “meddler.”
With Carolina’s reputation taking a hit under Tepper’s ownership, he’s not ignorant of the outside noise.
According to sources who spoke with The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Tepper is “Incredibly accountable and ready to make it right. He’s rejuvenated.”
Ahead of another crucial offseason, possibly the most important one under Tepper’s guidance, the Panthers are said to have their eye on Detroit’s offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson. The Lions’ play-caller has become a popular candidate after helping lead a top-five scoring attack, and he was believed to be Tepper’s top choice during last season’s hiring cycle.
Who knows? Had Johnson not pulled his own name out of consideration, maybe we’d be witnessing Johnson leading the Panthers to much different results. Either way, it should be refreshing for Panthers fans to hear the team owner is eager to make things right and is already remorseful about the recent failures.
Related: 5 Carolina Panthers coaching candidates to replace Frank Reich, including Ben Johnson