Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Panthers fans are already feeling the energy from their new power duo.
So, were Carolina Panthers fans feeling the alignment, energy and vision from their new general manager and new head coach this morning?
Here are some of the best reactions to Thursday’s introductory press conference for Dan Morgan and Dave Canales:
Panthers fans seem a bit more encouraged by the new structure of their team’s front office.
The Carolina Panthers weren’t going to wait for the conclusion of Super Bowl LVIII to officially close on their guy.
As announced by the team on Wednesday, Brandt Tilis has been named the new executive vice president of football operations. He now comes over after a highly-regarded 14-year run with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Here’s how Panthers fans are reacting to their organization’s latest addition:
Are Panthers fans rooting for CMC, Wilks and the Niners?
A few old friends took the next step towards football immortality.
Last night, Christian McCaffrey, Steve Wilks and the rest of the San Francisco 49ers topped the Detroit Lions and clinched themselves an NFC championship. Both once a part of the Carolina Panthers organization and beloved by its fans, the two—just a season after their departures—are now set for Super Bowl LVIII.
Here’s how those fans are reacting to their win:
Greg Olsen shined in what may have been his final game in FOX’s No. 1 broadcast booth.
In addition to the ones on the field at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, another familiar face shined during this year’s NFC championship game.
With Tom Brady presumably waiting in the wings, Carolina Panthers great Greg Olsen called what may have been his final game in FOX’s No. 1 broadcast booth. And, as he often does, the former tight end absolutely killed it.
So before Brady swoops in to ruin everyone’s good time just like he did during his playing days, let’s revel in the praise for Olsen’s championship performance.
Thomas Brown’s first year as Panthers OC would prove to be his only year as Panthers OC.
Yesterday it was special teams coordinator Chris Tabor and James Campen, and today it was offensive coordinator Thomas Brown.
The new, Dave Canales-led Carolina Panthers are continuing to turn the page. As first reported by Joe Person of The Athletic on Saturday, the team will not retain Brown heading into the 2024 season.
Here’s how some Panthers fans are reacting to the latest departure from the coaching staff:
Panthers fans gave their sendoffs to Chris Tabor and James Campen, both of whom are reportedly out in Carolina.
On Friday, the Carolina Panthers took another step in their reconstruction—reportedly parting ways with both special teams coordinator Chris Tabor and offensive line coach James Campen.
As opposed to last offseason, when the two were retained in the transition from Matt Rhule to Frank Reich, the organization has taken a tough step forward in their fresh direction with new head coach Dave Canales.
Here’s how their fans are feeling about the departures:
Panthers G Austin Corbett saluted his ole pal James Campen, who has reportedly been dismissed by the team.
Another well-respected coach is reportedly on the outs in Charlotte. And now, another team leader has reacted to the second gut punch.
As first reported by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport on Friday, the Carolina Panthers will not be retaining offensive line coach James Campen going into the 2024 season. News of this departure quickly followed the reported exit of special teams coordinator Chris Tabor, who also served as the team’s interim head coach for the final six games of the 2023 campaign.
Tabor’s departure was met by a pretty sad tweet from a seemingly disappointed Johnny Hekker. Then, right guard Austin Corbett, who spent the last two seasons with Campen, posted this shortly after:
Business is no fun sometimes.
We’ll see you around ole pal. https://t.co/cUFoQYuQlE pic.twitter.com/acUqFFPHu1— Austin Corbett (@BigCorbs73) January 27, 2024
Even before arriving in Carolina, Campen built up a rock-solid reputation across the league. Including his two seasons with the Panthers, the former offensive lineman has spent 20 years on the NFL sidelines.
Campen, like Tabor, will now be free to pursue other opportunities elsewhere.
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Panthers P Johnny Hekker doesn’t seem to be feeling Friday’s news.
If Johnny Hekker is choppin’ wood in Charlotte come next season, it won’t be with Chris Tabor.
As first reported by ESPN senior NFL insider on Friday, the Carolina Panthers will not be retaining special teams coordinator Chris Tabor heading into 2024. Hekker, who spent the last two years punting for Tabor’s unit, reacted with this . . .
https://t.co/aXW2VP9V3G pic.twitter.com/B09sKAWOY4
— Johnny Hekker (@JHekker) January 26, 2024
Tabor and Hekker both started their Panthers careers in 2022. Before even getting in a game with the four-time first-team All-Pro boot, Tabor said the following of Hekker:
“Well, I’ve played against him a bunch of times, and I’ve lost a lot of sleep playing against him. He’s a great athlete. Obviously, he’s been one of the best punters in the league. If you think about it and just look at him statistically, last year the Rams only had nine punts returned against them the entire year. Most teams you’re probably anywhere from the 35 to 40 range there. So just him taking away returners, punt location.”
Over their two seasons together, Hekker—who was already one of the most decorated punters in league history—averaged 47.6 yards per attempt with a net average of 43.3 yards. A well-documented trickster, Hekker also completed his only pass off a fake punt under Tabor.
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In his first tweet as the new Panthers HC, Dave Canales expressed his excitement for the future and his gratitude for the Bucs.
So Dave Canales wasn’t kidding a few weeks ago when he said he was excited for his chance to speak with the Carolina Panthers, huh?
On Thursday night, the team officially announced that they have hired the 42-year-old as their new head coach. And just minutes after the news broke, Canales took right to Twitter—with a fancy new profile picture and all . . .
Excited for what’s to come but right now just thankful for my time with the @Buccaneers ! Amazing fans and organization. Thanks to Coach Bowles, the staff and the amazing players that I was honored to work with! I’ll be rootin for ya 15 weeks out of the year! Thank You!!!
— Dave Canales (@TheCoachCanales) January 26, 2024
Before even getting the job, Canales credited the opportunity to his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“Yeah, it is surreal to me,” he said on Jan. 12 when asked about receiving an interview request from the Panthers. “And I’m really grateful, because I honestly can’t do this without the guys in this building—without the talent that we have on our offense, an amazing staff that’s just worked their tail off to put ourselves in the situation to win the division. And so when I think about it, it’s like—okay, coordinator gets all the heat and you get all the praise while there’s really a bigger story than that.”
Canales, in his first season as an NFL offensive coordinator, helped coax a career campaign out of veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield. His work also pushed Tampa Bay to their third straight NFC South title.
But now, he’s probably hoping 2024 won’t bring a fourth for his now-former employer.
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How are Panthers fans feeling about their team’s new head coach?
Unfortunately for Carolina Panthers fans, this is nothing particularly fresh to them.
For the second time in as many offseasons and for the third in five years, the Panthers are hiring a new head coach. This time, it’s Dave Canales—who comes over after one season as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
So, has the 42-year-old rising star already invigorated the suffering fan base or is there still a sense of skepticism surrounding the organization’s latest move?
Let’s check out some early reactions . . .
