Tag: dan morgan

Report: ‘The Teppers are letting the football people do the football things’

Report: Panthers owners David and Nicole Tepper are “showing confidence in general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales.”

The change may very well be real for the Carolina Panthers.

Tomorrow’s matchup against last year’s NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys will kick off with the Panthers as the betting favorites, the first such instance for the team since the 2022 campaign. There are a few important factors to attribute that standing to—including a No. 1 overall pick who is actually playing like a No. 1 overall pick and a head coach whose game plan and vision have made a positive impact on the locker room.

There may, however, be another person or two to credit.

Dianna Russini, senior NFL insider for The Athletic, highlighted the organization’s recent turnaround in her newest column from Saturday morning. She notes that owners David and Nicole Tepper are “letting the football people do the football things.”

Russini writes:

Carolina Panthers owners David and Nicole Tepper strongly believe they have the right leaders in place. The owners are sticking with their vision for the future, showing confidence in general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales. Both will be back next season, and it’s easy to see why — ownership is thrilled by the steady growth of second-year quarterback Bryce Young, who’s starting to show off his special qualities. Tepper has a high standard, and losing close games to good opponents still isn’t good enough, but this team is trending in a different direction than it was just two months ago.

The Teppers, particularly David, have received some criticism in the past for being a bit too hands-on with the football side of the operation.

Whether or not that’s fair, the results haven’t been kind to the billionaire businessman—who has cycled through four different full-time head coaches and 10 different starting quarterbacks in his seven years as owner. Those seven years, in addition, have failed to yield a single winning season.

But even at 3-10 as we enter Week 15, this losing record feels very different.

As Russini also wrote, the Panthers are “no longer beating themselves with costly mistakes” and have been remarkably competitive of late. Carolina—in their last three outings—nearly pulled off impressive upsets of the 12-1 Kansas City Chiefs, the 7-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the 11-2 Philadelphia Eagles.

So while the wins still have to come, the outlook for the Panthers certainly feels the brightest it has in quite some time.

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Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks, his injury and his increasingly debatable selection

RB Jonathon Brooks wasn’t too popular of a pick by the Panthers in the spring. And now that he’s re-torn his ACL, is it fair to question their selection?

The Carolina Panthers suffered two heartbreaking losses at Lincoln Financial Field this past Sunday. Not only did they lose the game, just missing out on the biggest upset of the 2024 season, but they also lost one of their very talented rookies.

Running back and 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks re-tore the ACL in his right knee during his first and only carry of the Week 14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. His rookie campaign was officially ended on Tuesday, as the team placed him on injured reserve.

This is the second tear to the same ACL in as many years. Brooks saw his collegiate career cut short in November of 2023, when he sustained the first tear while still playing for the University of Texas Longhorns.

Brooks’ year, which was already condensed upon missing the first 10 games of the season, is now over after only three appearances. And with ACL recoveries needing long-term fixes, the 21-year-old may not see in-game action again until 2026.

So, this latest setback has brought back the question that clouded this relationship when it first began—was Brooks worth the selection for the Panthers?

Was a running back worth the 46th overall pick, a spot the organization actually traded up to?

Why not take a prospect at a position of more immediate need—such as cornerback Mike Sainristil, center Zach Frazier or wide receiver Adonai Mitchell?

Was Brooks really the best available player on their board?

And if so, why take a player who is coming off a major injury?

When president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan originally jumped to take Brooks, the intention was to surround quarterback Bryce Young with enough talent as possible. Brooks was arguably the best player at his position in last spring’s class and his talent would’ve given Carolina a potent one-two punch in the backfield, with veteran Chuba Hubbard leading the way.

The Panthers were expected to be a run-first team under first-year head coach Dave Canales. And with his regime focused on growth and development, Brooks was primed to eventually phase out Miles Sanders—the last regime’s failed free-agent signing from 2023.

In hindsight, no one could’ve expected Brooks to re-injure his knee. There is always risk in each draft selection, and not every one of them is going to work out as planned.

Now, this isn’t to say that Brooks is already a mistake—by any stretch of the imagination. The Panthers weren’t trying to build their team around the running back position—they’re trying to build it around their quarterback, and Brooks is an offensive weapon who was their top talent at that part of the draft.

But we won’t know, perhaps for a few more years, if Brooks really was the right call or not. He is a gifted running back—one that could’ve gone in the first round had he not been injured and one that would’ve provided a whole new dimension to the Carolina offense if he stayed healthy.

So while it is fair to question the investment, there is no definitive answer to it—at least not yet.

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Panthers’ long-term investments in their offensive line are already paying off

Panthers GM Dan Morgan is getting his return on investment along the offensive line.

Even at 3-8 here in Week 13, the Carolina Panthers have come to experience more ups than downs this season.

Quarterback Bryce Young has bounced back into the starting lineup and is playing the best ball of his pro career, a few rookie pass catchers are carving out exciting roles and the defense—at least in the last three games—has stepped up to make key stops in giving the team a chance to win.

But the highest high note from the 2024 campaign has been their rebuilt offensive line.

One year ago, the Panthers had arguably the worst front five in the NFL. And the most glaring weaknesses on the group came on the inside, where there was a literal changing of the guards seemingly every week.

President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan made a promise in the offseason to rebuild the middle of the unit, and ended up spending a lot of money in doing so. In free agency, Carolina signed former Miami Dolphins right guard Robert Hunt to a five-year, $100 million deal then former Seattle Seahawks left guard Damien Lewis to a four-year, $53 million contract.

The Panthers also added Yosh Nijman as a quality spot starter behind tackles Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton, and moved former right guard Austin Corbett to the starting center position.

And now, with the team having an entire offensive line it can be proud of, Morgan’s return on investment may already be one of the best this franchise has ever gotten.

One of the many beneficiaries of the reconstruction has been the left tackle in Ekwonu, who has been solid in his third NFL campaign. Having a stout left guard in Lewis has helped with communication and handling different types of pressures that have come their way.

Ekwonu’s current Pro Football Focus grades are all at career-highs—as he boasts an overall mark of 72.7 along with a 70.2 in pass blocking and an 82.3 in run blocking.

It’s plays like the one below that have the Panthers front office and fans smiling ear to ear.

There is pre-snap and post-snap communication, linemen are hitting their landmarks in pass-blocking sets, displaying active and competitive hands, getting grips on opposing defensive linemen and setting a firm anchor.

One of the most impressive performances from this group was against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12.

The Chiefs have an aggressive defensive front that can get after the quarterback at a blistering clip. Top defensive tackle Chris Jones had his way a couple of times throughout the game against this bunch—but he was largely quiet, and it almost helped the Panthers upset the defending Super Bowl champions.

Coaching has played a significant role in Carolina’s improved offensive line play as well. Run game coordinator Harold Goodwin, offensive line coach Joe Gilbert and assistant offensive line coach Keli’i Kekuewa have been behind the unit’s growth and development.

For example—Corbett, who was playing high-level football at the center position, tore his triceps in Week 5. He’d be replaced by Brady Christensen, who filled in seamlessly for three starts.

Then Christensen, who had to fill in for an injured Ekwonu on the blindside, would be replaced at center by Cade Mays. And Mays, highlighted by his 85.5 pass-blocking grade against Kansas City, has also proven to be a reliable presence in the middle over his three starts.

The successful plug-and-play approach is a sign that this staff is adamant about putting their players in the best position to win. Combine that with a general manager willing to spend a lot of money to improve a specific unit, and there is something to really look forward to and anticipate in the future.

Morgan still has plenty to prove as a general manager, but his 2024 offseason could be a baseline for what he needs to do to give fans some more excitement in the coming seasons.

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Former Panthers WR set to make his Cowboys debut in Week 11

WR Jonathan Mingo, who was traded by the Panthers last week, is expected to make his Cowboys debut on Monday night.

A former Carolina Panthers wideout is about to hit the reset button on his NFL career.

Jonathan Mingo, now a member of the Dallas Cowboys, is expected to make his team debut this Monday night against the Houston Texans. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed the news about the second-year receiver on Thursday afternoon.

The Panthers selected Mingo with the 39th overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft. He’d go on to appear in 24 games with Carolina, amassing just 539 yards and no touchdowns on 55 receptions.

Mingo was traded to Dallas last Tuesday, just a few hours before the league trade deadline.

Panthers president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan explained the deal a day later.

“Great player, still a developing player,” Morgan said of Mingo. “Thought it was a good deal between us and Dallas. They get a young player that they can grow and develop and we get a draft pick we’re happy with. So, I think it was a win-win for both sides.”

Morgan and the Panthers received a 2025 fourth-round pick for Mingo and a 2025 seventh-round pick.

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Former Panthers WR set to make his Cowboys debut in Week 12

WR Jonathan Mingo, who was traded by the Panthers last week, is expected to make his Cowboys debut on Monday night.

A former Carolina Panthers wideout is about to hit the reset button on his NFL career.

Jonathan Mingo, now a member of the Dallas Cowboys, is expected to make his team debut this Monday night against the Houston Texans. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed the news about the second-year receiver on Thursday afternoon.

The Panthers selected Mingo with the 39th overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft. He’d go on to appear in 24 games with Carolina, amassing just 539 yards and no touchdowns on 55 receptions.

Mingo was traded to Dallas last Tuesday, just a few hours before the league trade deadline.

Panthers president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan explained the deal a day later.

“Great player, still a developing player,” Morgan said of Mingo. “Thought it was a good deal between us and Dallas. They get a young player that they can grow and develop and we get a draft pick we’re happy with. So, I think it was a win-win for both sides.”

Morgan and the Panthers received a 2025 fourth-round pick for Mingo and a 2025 seventh-round pick.

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Panthers GM Dan Morgan comments on Chuba Hubbard’s contract extension

Panthers GM Dan Morgan issued a statement on today’s big contract extension for RB Chuba Hubbard.

Yesterday, Carolina Panthers president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan hinted towards some exciting “stuff” that he was working on. And today, he delivered.

On Thursday morning, the team announced a four-year, $33.2 million contract extension for running back Chuba Hubbard. The agreement—as first reported by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport—contains a maximum value of $37.2 million with $15 in new guaranteed money, and could keep the 25-year-old in Carolina through the 2028 campaign.

Morgan, per an official release, provided the following statement on the move:

“We are excited to sign Chuba to an extension and keep him in Carolina. He exemplifies everything we want on and off the field. Chuba is passionate about football, is productive and is committed to his teammates and winning.”

Hubbard has led the Panthers in rushing in two of his first three full seasons. Through nine games of his fourth campaign, he’s run for 665 yards—currently the fifth-most in the NFL.

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Panthers GM Dan Morgan on if he’d draft a QB in 2025: ‘I’ll consider everything’

Would Panthers GM Dan Morgan consider drafting a QB at the top of the 2025 NFL draft? He was asked that on Wednesday, and he didn’t say no.

No one knows who will be starting under center for the Carolina Panthers in 2025, including the man who runs the show.

President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan spoke with reporters this afternoon, just a few days ahead of his team’s Week 10 matchup against the New York Giants. As you’d assume, he took quite a few questions regarding Bryce Young—the quarterback he helped select with the No. 1 overall pick of last year’s draft.

Morgan did shoot down speculation about a possible move of the 23-year-old passer, who remained in Carolina past yesterday’s trade deadline. He was, however, asked why the team hasn’t committed to Young moving forward.

“Those are obviously discussions between Dave [Canales] and myself and Brandt [Tilis], just kinda talkin’ through the direction we wanna go,” Morgan replied. “Ya know, hey, we’re lookin’ for him to grow and develop every week, get better every single week. And Dave has a plan for him, Dave has a plan for all the guys on this roster. He’s doin’ a really good job with him and Bryce has bought in and he’s committed to being the best that he can be. So, we’ll see where it goes.”

Young hasn’t lived up to his billing quite yet. The Panthers are 3-17 in his 20 career starts, where he’s thrown for just 162.3 yards per game with 14 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.

The outlook has gotten a bit brighter in recent weeks. Young had himself a relatively solid showing against the Denver Broncos in Week 8 and followed that with a triumphant start in a 23-22 win over the New Orleans Saints this past Sunday.

But if Young still doesn’t impress the organization enough by the end of the campaign, would Morgan and company consider taking another quarterback at or near the top of the upcoming draft? He was asked that very question shortly after.

“I mean, I’ll consider everything,” Morgan stated. “I’m gonna have an open mind. I talk about it all the time and I talk about it with the guys in the building. We’re gonna draft really good football players. So, whatever position that is—I don’t know. But we’re gonna draft really good football players we think are gonna help our team improve.”

The Panthers, at 2-7, are currently in the fourth overall slot of the 2025 draft order.

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Panthers GM Dan Morgan explains trading WR Jonathan Mingo to Cowboys

Panthers GM Dan Morgan on trading WR Jonathan Mingo to the Cowboys: “I think it was a win-win for both sides.”

Yesterday’s trade of wide receiver Jonathan Mingo may just be a victory for everyone involved.

The man who struck that deal, Carolina Panthers president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan, spoke with reporters about the swap this afternoon. He believes Mingo’s move to the Dallas Cowboys helps out all parties.

“Great player, still a developing player,” Morgan said of Mingo. “Thought it was a good deal between us and Dallas. They get a young player that they can grow and develop and we get a draft pick we’re happy with. So, I think it was a win-win for both sides.”

Carolina shipped away their 2023 second-rounder for a pick swap in the 2025 draft. The Panthers sent Mingo and a seventh-round pick to the Cowboys in exchange for a fourth-round pick.

Mingo has struggled to find success in the NFL thus far, as he’s amassed just 539 receiving yards and zero touchdowns through 24 career games. Meanwhile, a few other young Carolina wideouts—namely Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker—have quickly emerged here in 2024.

Morgan was asked if the recent play from the two rookies helped prompt Mingo’s departure.

“It has to do a little bit with building, too,” he replied. “I think we’re trying to build the roster the right way, and that’s through the draft. We’re definitely excited about a lot of our young guys. We’re excited about a lot of the guys on the roster, in general. So, I like the direction that we’re headed. We just gotta keep building and growing this thing.”

Legette has scored a touchdown in four of the team’s past six games while Coker has totaled 114 receiving yards and a score over the last two.

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Panthers GM Dan Morgan is asked if he considered trading QB Bryce Young

According to Panthers GM Dan Morgan, Bryce Young was never on the trade market.

According to Carolina Panthers president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan, quarterback Bryce Young was never really on the market.

Morgan took some time to chat with reporters on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after the passing of the league’s trade deadline. He was asked about the speculation regarding a possible move of the 2023 No. 1 overall pick.

“We never got into any discussions,” Morgan replied. “I never opened that door. Didn’t want to trade Bryce, still don’t and committed to working with him and helping him grow and helping him develop.”

As the assistant general manager last season, Morgan was one of the many voices within the organization who backed the selection of Young. That decision has yet to pay off for the Panthers, who are just 3-17 in his 20 career starts.

Young has, however, sparked a little bit of hope with his recent performances—including this past Sunday’s 23-22 win over the New Orleans Saints.

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What trading Diontae Johnson means for the Panthers

The Panthers took a small gamble on Diontae Johnson back in the spring. It did not pay off.

You probably don’t have to try to galaxy-brain the coming and going of now-former Carolina Panthers wideout Diontae Johnson. This all might be quite simple.

As we continue to wait on some sort of official word, it appears as though the 28-year-old pass catcher is headed to the Baltimore Ravens. And between Carolina’s willingness to move their leading receiver and their pittance of a return for him, many fans—of the Panthers and NFL alike—seem very perplexed about the move.

Tuesday’s decision closes up what was a seven-month relationship for Johnson and the Panthers, one that began with a surprising swap back in March. The one-time Pro Bowler was sent to Charlotte in return for cornerback Donte Jackson and a 2024 pick swap that slightly favored the Pittsburgh Steelers.

If we combine the terms of that trade with the one that went down today, here’s what the Panthers have done . . .

  • Panthers trade: WR Diontae Johnson, CB Donte Jackson, 2024 seventh-round pick (No. 240), 2025 sixth-round pick
  • Panthers receive: 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 178), 2025 fifth-round pick

That whole shabang looks even worse when you consider what Carolina will reportedly have to pay Johnson to not play for them over the final few months of the season. Per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, the Ravens will be responsible for around $625,000 on Johnson’s expiring contract—leaving the Panthers to foot a bill of about $3 million.

But all of this shouldn’t tell you that the Panthers were hoodwinked, bamboozled, led astray, run amok or flat out deceived. It should tell you that they were just, flat out, done with Diontae.

This offseason, the front office was looking for a go-to target to help develop second-year quarterback Bryce Young, and all they had to give up for it was a step down in the later rounds of the 2024 draft and Jackson—who was likely going to be released at the start of the new league year. Johnson, at worst, would be a rental—and at best, a productive No. 1 receiver who could earn himself a multi-year extension.

Johnson, additionally, did come over with some question marks regarding his maturity. Not to speculate that his style wore out his welcome with the Panthers, but it could explain why they were willing to eat most of his salary and take a very minor bump in draft capital to trade him.

Now, sitting at 1-7 and deciding on whether or not they even want to trot Young out in Week 9, the vision has changed. Now, Johnson became dispensable.

Moving forward, his departure will open up more opportunities for receivers who have actually figured themselves into the future—rookies Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker. Sunday’s outing against the Denver Broncos, where Legette scored on All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II and Coker put up a career day, certainly couldn’t have hurt the team’s outlook in a post-Johnson wideout room.

So, let’s just take this entire situation as it is—a small gamble that simply did not pay off.

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