Tag: David Tepper

Panthers owner David Tepper on Bryce Young pick: We’re not messin’ around

Panthers owner David Tepper is proud of his team for staying true to the process, one that landed them No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young.

Boy, what three years with Matt Rhule can do, huh?

After the Carolina Panthers selected University of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with the first overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft on Thursday night, general manager Scott Fitterer and head coach Frank Reich spoke to reporters for a post-pick chat. And that chat got a special appearance from owner David Tepper, who was pumped up over the path that led them to this choice.

“I can’t emphasize enough—true to this process this time,” he stated. “Not all the time in other past years. But this is a process—process in the coach, process in getting this quarterback and not leaving a stone unturned. So this is truly, in everything we’re doing and everything we did with the coaches, when Frank was signed. The process. Do we have the best person? Do we have the best person? And true to the process, Scott, true to the process—we’re not messin’ around.”

Tepper and the Panthers messed around with Rhule for two and a half seasons, a run that ended in a miserable 11-27 mark. That tenure also saw the team go through quarterbacks like an allergy-ridden adolescent goes through Kleenex—with the likes of Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield all failing to meet expectations.

But now, the billionaire owner and his braintrust expect Young to turn this franchise in the right direction—thanks to (you guessed it) the process.

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Panthers HC Frank Reich: David Tepper is 100 percent onboard with No. 1 pick

Panthers HC Frank Reich and GM Scott Fitterer have made their draft intentions known to owner David Tepper, who is ‘100 percent onboard’ with the No. 1 pick.

On Tuesday, Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich said the team has come to a consensus on who they’ll be taking with this year’s No. 1 overall pick. And that consensus includes owner David Tepper.

Following the second session of voluntary minicamp this afternoon, Reich—of course—answered some questions about tomorrow’s draft. When asked if he and general manager Scott Fitterer have told Tepper about their choice, Reich stated the following:

“Yes, he is 100 percent onboard,” Reich replied with a laugh. “He’s been an instrumental part of the process—as has been said, even though he kinda empowered us to make the decision.”

That decision materialized after months of support from Tepper, who Reich has already praised for his financial backing and wisdom. He also stated that his involvement throughout the process has been nothing but positive.

“Listen, we all know he’s very involved in the best of ways,” Reich added. “And as Scott has said repeatedly, although Mr. Tepper empowered Scott and I to make this decision, this was a group effort—starting with the scouts, coaches, everybody together. Really good people, really good process. So, we finally get to see the results and then that’s just the beginning. That’s just the beginning.”

The beginning starts a little after 8 p.m. ET tomorrow night, when the Panthers are expected to take University of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.

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Report: Panthers owner David Tepper ‘not overbearing’ in QB search

According to NBC Sports’ Peter King, Panthers owner David Tepper has not been an overbearing presence in the team’s search for a franchise QB.

Contrary to popular belief, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper is not ruling with an iron fist.

In his latest edition of “Football Morning in America,” NBC Sports’ Peter King gave us an interesting little nugget about the passer-needy Panthers and their billionaire chief. As part of the “What I’m Hearing” section of his column, King notes that Tepper has not made his team’s crucial hunt for a quarterback an autocratic one.

He writes:

Carolina owner David Tepper has not been overbearing in the QB-search process. I can hear it now: You’re giving us a sanitized version of this to get on Tepper’s good side. Uh, I’ve never met the man. I could care less about buttering up David Tepper. I’m just telling you the real stuff.

Head coach Frank Reich also told us that stuff recently, during last Thursday’s episode of NFL Players: Second Acts. When asked by host Charles Tillman if Tepper is heavily involved in adding specific players, Reich said the following:

“No. He’s looking and hearing everything. He’s, obviously, a brilliant guy—brilliant enough to know, hey, let Scott [Fitterer] and I handle that. But he’s involved in it. He wants to know. And, in particular, I think he’s involved in all the numbers and the cap and the contracts and how everything’s set up. I think he has his hands on all that.”

Whether it be through Reich or Fitterer, the Panthers have made their intentions of sticking to a collaborative approach rather clear throughout the offseason. And although Tepper is desperate to turn his franchise around into a winner, he knows well enough to let the football people make the football decisions—even when it comes to the No. 1 overall pick.

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Panthers HC Frank Reich credits owner David Tepper for wise free-agent spending

On Thursday’s episode of NFL Players: Second Acts, Panthers HC Frank Reich credited some of the team’s impressive cap maneuverability to owner David Tepper.

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper earned his fortune off making numbers work. So, he’s trying to do the same in the NFL.

Head coach Frank Reich was featured on Thursday’s episode of NFL Players: Second Acts, a podcast hosted by former Panthers defensive backs Charles “Peanut” Tillman and Roman Harper. When asked about what has been a wild offseason, Reich credited owner David Tepper for making the right pushes at the right times.

“The big one was going to No. 1,” Reich said of the team’s bold moves. “But now, this free agency thing, Mr. Tepper just said, ‘Okay, let’s go. Let’s surround this guy with some playmakers.”

As Reich went on to note, the Panthers inked a handful of those proven playmakers. Whoever ends up under center will be working with some solid free-agent additions including running back Miles Sanders, wide receivers DJ Chark and Adam Thielen and tight end Hayden Hurst.

Tillman then cut in to ask if Tepper is “super involved” in bringing in particular players. Reich refuted that idea and went on to laud the billionaire for his skills with the bills.

“No,” Reich replied. “He’s looking and hearing everything. He’s, obviously, a brilliant guy—brilliant enough to know, hey, let Scott [Fitterer] and I handle that. But he’s involved in it. He wants to know. And, in particular, I think he’s involved in all the numbers and the cap and the contracts and how everything’s set up. I think he has his hands on all that.”

Well, thanks to Tepper—as well as, presumably, Fitterer and vice president of football administration Samir Suleiman—the Panthers have equipped their future quarterback with a strong supporting cast and still have the third-most salary cap space in the league.

Who would’ve known a massively successful hedge fund manager is good at making cents?

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It’s deja vu for Commanders head coach Ron Rivera

Ron Rivera is familiar with what he’s facing in 2023.

It’s deja vu for Commanders head coach Ron Rivera.

He has no doubt, previously been down this familiar road. Rivera has raised eyebrows at times with his responses with the media during his time in Washington. However, he may actually be the right coach for this time in the Commanders transition to new ownership.

The Carolina Panthers were 2-14 for the 2010 season. Rivera was subsequently hired to replace John Fox. Rivera was not naive. He had been in the NFL long enough as a player and assistant coach to know Fox could certainly coach, having led the Panthers to 11 wins twice, 12 wins once and an NFC championship before losing the Super Bowl on a last-second Adam Vinatieri field goal.

Fast forward eight seasons to 2018. The Panthers had a new owner in David Tepper. In 2019, the Panthers struggling on their way to a 5-11 season, Tepper was ready for a change. He was ready to hire his own head coach.

Rivera came to Washington in 2020 and has coached the team to 7-9, 7-10 and 8-8-1 seasons. Longtime owner Daniel Snyder is on the way out, ready to sell. How long will the new owner want to stay with Ron Rivera?

It’s not an enviable position for Rivera. He must win big or will be shown the door. Many fans and some in the media will be unfair to Rivera regardless of what he does. If he does not trade the next two No. 1 draft choices and pay $35 million for Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, he doesn’t want to win badly enough and is, in their eyes, a buffoon.

On the other hand, perhaps the new owner will not want to take over a team with no cap room and no first-round choices in 2023 or 2024. In one sense, next year’s money and next year’s choices are actually not Rivera’s. They are the next owner’s property and right to do with as he chooses.

As teenagers never realize until later, it is one thing to order a meal for yourself. It’s quite another as the responsible adult to pay for all of the family’s meal with your own hard-earned money.

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McShay recalls when Commanders owner Daniel Snyder attended a pro day

Washington fans certainly remember the last time an NFL owner attended a pro day.

Thursday, Ohio State hosted a Pro Day for 2023 NFL draft prospects.

During the ESPN television coverage, I noticed ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay and Louis Riddick informing the live audience that the Carolina Panthers not only had some scouts and coaches present, but Riddick said it was “the entire Panthers contingent” who were present.

McShay added he had been attending the pro days of the top rookie quarterbacks for the last 16 years. McShay continued, “And the last time I remember an owner being at a pro day was when Daniel Snyder was at RG3s (Robert Griffin) before they drafted him in Washington. So it says a lot that [Carolina owner] Tepper was here.”

McShay elaborated further, “But David Tepper, the owner of the Panthers, is also going to be in Tuscaloosa (AL) tomorrow for Bryce Young’s. He is going to be in Lexington (KY) for Will Levis’ (pro day) and then later in the week at Anthony Richardson’s in Florida.”

“So it’s going to be interesting to see how the owner plays into this as he tries to get to know all four of these quarterbacks as people and future businessmen.”

Washington fans are discouraged to be reminded that Griffin, after his highly successful rookie 2012 season, refused to run the offense designed by Mike and Kyle Shanahan and saw his lack of ability in an NFL pocket exposed.

Snyder had desired to have Griffin, trading up to the No. 2 pick in the draft to take Griffin. In turn, Snyder traded away the 2012 No. 6 pick, the 2012 No. 39 pick, the 2013 No. 22 pick, and the 2014 No. 2 overall selection. Though still exhibiting physical and athletic ability, Griffin’s performances were so subpar in 2013 and 2014 he never recovered, never experiencing anything successful in the NFL.

Though Snyder wanted and got Griffin, it was Shanahan who insisted Washington draft Kirk Cousins when he was available in the fourth round of that same 2012 draft. This resulted in much sharp criticism from NFL analysts being directed at Shanahan personally.

However, it was Shanahan who was proven correct and Daniel Snyder incorrect in judging NFL QB potential.

The Panthers sent an absurd amount of reps to watch C.J. Stroud throw at Ohio State’s Pro Day

The Panthers are doing a horrible job of hiding their love for Stroud.

When they traded up to the No. 1 overall pick, the safe assumption was that the Carolina Panthers wanted a young quarterback prospect. And with the top selection, the world was their oyster in a promising 2023 NFL Draft class.

But if the Panthers had designs on drafting anyone but C.J. Stroud next month, it’d be rather surprising. Well, at least according to the contingent they sent to Ohio State’s Pro Day on Wednesday. While the Buckeyes have a bunch of promising building blocks at other positions, the Panthers were there to presumably watch Stroud.

Such plans seem obvious when you note a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero stating the Panthers met with Stroud in advance.

Seriously. Why else would Carolina send at least 11 different people, including owner David Tepper and his wife Nicole, GM Scott Fitterer, and head coach Frank Reich?

I don’t want to read too much into things, but if Josh McCown and Jim Caldwell are present as objectively lower-level people in the Panthers’ hierarchy, they may as well be telegraphing their desires for Stroud.

Only time will tell what decision the Panthers ultimately make about their future in April. But, after seemingly sending everyone to watch him throw, it seems abundantly clear Carolina will have a concrete idea about where it stands with Stroud.

Panthers owners David and Nicole Tepper to attend Ohio State Pro Day

The Panthers will have 11 sets of eyes, including those of owners David and Nicole Tepper, on C.J. Stroud at Ohio State’s Pro Day.

The Carolina Panthers will be rolling 11-deep for C.J. Stroud on Wednesday, with two very important people in tow.

We’ve already learned, courtesy of Darin Gantt of Panthers.com, that the organization will be sending a heavy contingent to the Ohio State University. A later report from MMQB senior NFL reporter Albert Breer, however, added four more names to the list—including owners David and Nicole Tepper.

The Teppers will be joining a group that already included general manager Scott Fitterer, assistant general manager Dan Morgan, vice president of football administration Samir Suleiman, head coach Frank Reich, offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and senior assistant Jim Caldwell. Scouting director Cole Spencer and scout Joel Patten, as Breer adds, will also be making the trip.

They will all be there, of course, for Stroud—who may very well be this year’s No. 1 overall pick and the next quarterback of the franchise. The standout Buckeye, in fact, is the most recent odds-on favorite to be selected atop the 2023 NFL draft.

No pressure, C.J.

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15 takeaways from Panthers GM Scott Fitterer and HC Frank Reich on Monday

From the draft to free agency and everything in between, here are 15 takeaways from Monday’s pressers for Panthers GM Scott Fitterer and HC Frank Reich.

The new Carolina Panthers power duo of general manager Scott Fitterer and head coach Frank Reich just gave us a ton to chew on. So, to make our meal a bit easier to consume, we chopped their two pressers down to the meat and potatoes.

Here are the biggest 15 takeaways from Fitterer and Reich on Monday.

Panthers owner David Tepper played key role in trading for No. 1 pick

According to Panthers HC Frank Reich, owner David Tepper provided key analysis in the team’s move up to the No. 1 overall pick.

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper made a good amount of his fortune in risk management. And, apparently, he just saw a risk worth taking.

Speaking with reporters for the first time since the team acquired this year’s No. 1 overall pick, head coach Frank Reich squeezed an interesting nugget into his press conference on Monday. When asked if there’s more pressure built into having the top selection, Reich said that it’s actually more of a relief—while giving much credit to general manager Scott Fitterer and Tepper.

“I wouldn’t say more pressure. I think that we’re just trying to get the right quarterback for us,” he replied. “We knew at nine it was a hard spot. It was a hard spot to be at. So when you started lookin’ at options to get up—Scott, I can’t tell you how great of a job he did in navigating that whole thing through the combine and beyond. He was masterful and it turned out to be what we think is really a win-win. Obviously, we had to give up a lot to get to nine to one.

“We had other options to get up and looked at all those. And this is where, really, Mr. Tepper, I thought, had some really great insight in the process as we evaluated those options. His analysis of those options, I thought, was spot on—kinda helped push us to the right decision to get up to No. 1 and to make that decision and to be in control.”

That decision saw the ninth overall pick, 61st overall pick, next year’s first-rounder, 2025’s second-rounder and wide receiver DJ Moore go to Chicago in exchange for that control. And although it was a heavy price to pay, it was one worth coughing up, according to a pretty decent numbers guy in Tepper.

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