Tag: Scott Fitterer

Disastrous 2023 season proving to be a breaking point for Panthers, David Tepper

Something may have to give by season’s end in Carolina, even beyond the firing of HC Frank Reich.

It wasn’t long ago that Charlotte was abuzz with hype, confidence and optimism heading into the 2023 campaign. Because for the first time in quite some time—with an established group of coaches, a new franchise quarterback and a ready-made defense in hand—the Carolina Panthers seemed to have a direction.

But all of that hype, confidence and optimism has quickly been flushed down a nightmare of a season. And now, after their 10th loss in 11 games, head coach Frank Reich has lost his job.

Not much has worked for this team all year, and there are many fingers to point with no real way to place the blame on any one group. Led by the “all-star” coaching staff that seemed behind in the times—the defense has been ravaged by injuries, the offensive line has regressed and the No. 1 overall pick has been thrust into an unenviable (and dysfunctional) situation.

History has shown that the worst thing you can do to a rookie quarterback is throw him into the fire of a line that cannot block with a group of receivers that cannot get open. That’s precisely what’s happened to Bryce Young, who hasn’t been able to showcase why he was the apple of the organization’s eye.

But has the team done anything to avoid such things from unfolding? Not really.

It may be only a matter of time that heads continue to roll in Carolina, even beyond the firing of their head coach. Whether or not that time comes for general manager Scott Fitterer and the front office, a lack of consequences for this botched run of seasons is simply unfathomable.

Owner David Tepper has clearly grown even more impatient in his approach, and it’s pretty hard to blame him. It’s even hard to call the Reich dismissal a hasty one at this point—as nothing has working.

Something’s got to give by the end of the season. And for whoever is ultimately in place to try and push this struggling franchise in the right direction, hopefully they’ll spare the fans of yet another disastrous result moving forward.

[lawrence-related id=686066,686058,686030]

NFL insider: ‘Pressure is on’ Panthers GM Scott Fitterer

Will Panthers GM Scott Fitterer survive the organization’s latest sweep of changes?

The Carolina Panthers pushed three men out of the door today. But will there be room for at least one more?

Head coach Frank Reich was fired this morning, just 11 games into the first season of his four-year deal with the organization. He would soon be joined by assistant head coach/running backs Duce Staley and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, who were dismissed by interim head coach Chris Tabor and offensive assistant Jim Caldwell later in the afternoon.

So, with all this change going on at 800 South Mint Street, is general manager Scott Fitterer next? ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler tried answering that question.

He writes of Carolina’s next steps:

Fitterer is well-liked and works well with others. Clearly, though, the Panthers have missed often in the past three drafts. Franchise pillars are scarce and so is quality depth. The offensive line, which includes former No. 6 overall pick Ikem Ekwonu, has regressed. And with no first-round pick in 2024, Tepper needs a personnel head to do more with less in April. Maybe that’s Fitterer. But the pressure is on, regardless.

Fitterer was hired as the team’s general manager in January of 2021. The Panthers have gone 13-32 since.

That record isn’t much of a surprise given the roster’s lack of talent, a situation propelled by Fitterer’s numerous draft misses over his three years. His and the brass’ inability to ink two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Brian Burns to a long-term deal may also prove to be a damaging misstep.

Additionally, Fowler notes that he doesn’t get the sense that “anyone in Carolina feels overly safe right now.”

[lawrence-related id=686058,686045,686033]

Nicole Tepper, Scott Fitterer among interested observers at Wednesday’s practice

The Panthers had a number of attentive onlookers during OL vs. DL drills on Wednesday, including owner Nicole Tepper and GM Scott Fitterer.

The Carolina Panthers had a who’s who of onlookers at practice on Wednesday—and it wasn’t just for kicks.

As noted by both Joe Person of The Athletic and Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, owner Nicole Tepper was particularly attentive of this afternoon’s offensive line vs. defensive line drills. Tepper was joined by “many others” during that portion of the session—including general manager Scott Fitterer, assistant general manager Dan Morgan, head coach Frank Reich and senior defensive assistant Dom Capers.

With the daunting Dallas Cowboys defense coming to town for a tough matchup on Sunday, Carolina’s overwhelmed offensive line will certainly be a point of emphasis for Week 11—especially given the struggles of rookie quarterback Bryce Young. According to Pro Football Focus, the No. 1 overall pick has been pressured on 132 of his dropbacks—the fifth-most in the league thus far.

The unit will have a different look this week, as the Panthers released starting left guard Calvin Throckmorton yesterday. Rookie Chandler Zavala and 2022 sixth-round pick Cade Mays are possibilities to take over on the vacated spot.

Oh, and some guy named Luke Kuechly was there today as well . . .

[lawrence-related id=685268,685245,685211]

Panthers fans react to team’s quiet trade deadline

Halloween brought a trick for some Panthers fans, who were a bit unhappy with their team’s inactivity at the trade deadline.

The 2023 trade deadline has come and gone. And for the Carolina Panthers, it’s come and gone without giving or taking.

Here’s how the fans are reacting to their team’s inactivity on Tuesday:

Panthers stand pat, make no deals before Tuesday’s trade deadline

This year’s trade deadline has now passed and the Panthers have not made a deal.

Plenty of treats were handed out across the NFL on Tuesday, but none of them will be unwrapped by the Carolina Panthers.

This year’s trade deadline has officially passed and the Panthers have stood pat. Previously believed to be sellers after a league-worst start, Carolina did not opt to swing a deal on Halloween.

Head coach Frank Reich said yesterday, following his team’s first victory of the season, that he and general manager Scott Fitterer were having some discussions leading up to the deadline.

“I had a brief conversation with Scott within the last 24 hours of just some phone calls that he was takin’,” he told reporters. “I actually plan on sittin’ down with him this afternoon some time to see if anything else has come up. Again, I was just focused on Houston.

“So, I don’t know. I’ve learned in these situations—trust the GM. He’s leadin’ that process. He’ll do a great job. He’ll pull me in when needed. We’ll have some conversations later today to see if anything’s come up in the last 24 hours that’s worth talkin’ about. And sometimes it does and sometimes things fizzle out. So, we’ll see how it all plays out.”

Well, things must’ve fizzled out.

[lawrence-related id=684128,684061,684016]

Frank Reich: I’ve discussed trade calls with Scott Fitterer over last 24 hours

Panthers HC Frank Reich told reporters that he plans on talking to GM Scott Fitterer about the trade deadline this afternoon.

So, is Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer in on any deals right now?

Fresh off the team’s first win on Sunday, an exciting 15-13 triumph over the Houston Texans, head coach Frank Reich spoke about the upcoming trade deadline. He was asked if the Panthers are in buying, selling or no mode heading into tomorrow.

“I had a brief conversation with Scott within the last 24 hours of just some phone calls that he was takin’,” he replied. “I actually plan on sittin’ down with him this afternoon some time to see if anything else has come up. Again, I was just focused on Houston.

“So, I don’t know. I’ve learned in these situations—trust the GM. He’s leadin’ that process. He’ll do a great job. He’ll pull me in when needed. We’ll have some conversations later today to see if anything’s come up in the last 24 hours that’s worth talkin’ about. And sometimes it does and sometimes things fizzle out. So, we’ll see how it all plays out.”

The deadline is rather festive this year, as it falls on Halloween at 4 p.m. ET. Now, we’ll have to wait to see if Fitterer, Reich and the 1-6 Panthers come up with a trick or a treat . . . or neither.

[lawrence-related id=684084,683982,683965]

Panthers reportedly discussed acquiring ‘very notable’ WR

According to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson, the Panthers have had internal discussions about acquiring a couple of notable wide receivers.

The Carolina Panthers have reportedly been trying to track down a worthwhile wideout for some time now. But according to a league insider, at least one of the subjects from their internal conversations may be more than just “worthwhile.”

According to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports, the Panthers have had discussions about acquiring a “couple of notable” names at the receiver position. She even states that one of those names is “very notable.”

As Anderson indicates, those talks have cooled for a few reasons—and Carolina’s 0-6 record could also be one of them. General manager Scott Fitterer and the sluggish Panthers were being linked to a potential trade for a receiver as far back as Oct. 1. They’ve gone 0-3 since.

A few of the more notable pass catchers who have popped as possible trade targets include Las Vegas’ Davante Adams, Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins and Denver’s duo of Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy.

[lawrence-related id=683002,683506,683504]

Frank Reich addresses trade rumors about Panthers’ search for top WR

Panthers HC Frank Reich on his team’s rumored search for a top-tier WR: We got the guys we need to win

So, are the Carolina Panthers really on the hunt for some help at the wideout position? Head coach Frank Reich addressed that on Wednesday . . . kinda.

Before hitting the practice field for the first time here in Week 5, Reich was asked about his team’s reported interest in trading for a receiver.

“This is the same answer from me all the time, every year I’ve ever been in this position—once we get in season, I just want the guys we got,” he replied. “I love the guys we got. We got the guys we need to win. That’s why, to me, it makes sense to have the division of the GM and the head coach.

“Scott [Fitterer] is always gonna be working through his job to initiate . . . he’s certainly gonna involve me in those decisions if something comes up. But those aren’t things I’m going to him initiating on. I’m not initiating those discussions with him. He’s doing what he’s doing, looking to do his job. I’m coachin’ the guys we got and I’m happy about the guys we got.”

The rumors began on Sunday morning, when NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Panthers were “actively” in search of a starting-caliber wide receiver. Fellow NFL insider Jordan Schultz then seconded that belief on Tuesday, stating the Fitterer has been on the phone “every single day” in pursuit of a “top-tier” pass catcher.

But, for now, they got what they got—and Reich seems just fine with that.

[lawrence-related id=682502,682499,682290]

Report: Panthers GM Scott Fitterer in daily pursuit for ‘top-tier’ WR

NFL insider: Panthers GM Scott Fitterer is on the phone “every single day” in search of a “top-tier WR” for Bryce Young.

On Monday, Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich said that he hears the fan base’s frustration over his team’s disappointing 0-4 start. Well, it seems like general manager Scott Fitterer also hears it.

Adding to what NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted this weekend, fellow league insider Jordan Schultz has reported that the Panthers are in a daily pursuit for a new wide receiver.

“The Panthers, according to sources, are in the market, not only for a receiver, but a top-tier one,” Schultz said. “What this comes down to is two-fold. No. 1, they know they don’t have enough weapons for Bryce Young. But No. 2, they believe so much in Bryce Young the Panthers do—GM Scott Fitterer, head coach Frank Reich—that they want to go all-in, double down this season.

“So the Panthers, at 0-4, have actually been competitive—had a couple games they probably could’ve won, should’ve won—are now looking for a No. 1 receiver. I’m told that Scott Fitterer, the GM, is literally on the phone every single day. This is his top priority right now—to go out and get a No. 1 receiver for Bryce Young.”

Fitterer and Reich’s Panthers are the first team since the 2013 Tampa Bay Buccaneers to start 0-4 despite holding leads in each of their first four contests. They were also the first team to select a quarterback from the 2023 draft class, making the struggles on offense under the No. 1 pick a bit embarrassing considering the early success of No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud and No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson.

So, yeah, it may really be time to make a move.

[lawrence-related id=682290,682317,681614]

Scott Fitterer: NFC South is ‘within reach’ for the Panthers

Panthers GM Scott Fitterer believes an NFC South crown is within reach in 2023.

Despite a particularly tumultuous season, the Carolina Panthers finished just one game short of an improbable NFC South crown in 2022. But now, that crown seems a lot more probable here in 2023.

General manager Scott Fitterer spoke with reporters on Thursday. And in his first question-and-answer session since assembling a 53-man roster, he seemed to be pretty confident about the work he’s done since last season.

“We had mostly positive, a couple equals; there was one negative,” Fitterer said of the team’s upgrades, per Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. “But overall, I just thought like, ‘You know what? We’re making progress.’ It’s where we want to be. Every year, I say our goal is to win the NFC South. And I think, even with all the new faces, the new staff, and all the changes that are taking place, that’s our goal. And I think if we play (to) our ability, that’s definitely within reach.”

That goal was within reach back in January, when Carolina went into Raymond James Stadium with a chance to move atop the division in Week 17. But after coughing up an 11-point lead with 14 minutes left in their crucial matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they lost the game and their chance at the playoffs.

A few months later, it’s those new faces Fitterer referred to that may get the franchise over the hump. Between head coach Frank Reich and rookie quarterback Bryce Young, who have both invigorated the organization with some hope, the Panthers could be angling for their first division title since 2015.

[lawrence-related id=680150,680147,680124]