In the aftermath of the Bryce Young controversy, critics have taken aim at the Carolina Panthers all week. Everyone seems to have an opinion on what went wrong for the team. The latest to weigh in was former Dallas Cowboys head coach, Jimmy Johnson, who spoke out on Sunday before the Panthers faced the Las Vegas Raiders with new quarterback Andy Dalton.
During an appearance on Fox NFL Pregame, Johnson pointed the finger directly at Panthers owner David Tepper for the team’s struggles. Johnson didn’t hold back, accusing Tepper of making decisions based on “fantasy football” rather than consulting with football experts within the organization.
“The owner of the Carolina Panthers, that’s the problem. He’s making the major decisions without listening to his football people. David Tepper. It’s his team, he can do whatever he wants to. But look at the people that’s left. He’s the one that wanted Bryce Young as the No. 1 pick. Look at Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore, Brian Burns. You look at Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold. Look at coaches, Steve Wilk, Frank Reich, Matt Rhule. He’s run them all off! He’s got to listen to his football people and quit playing fantasy football.”
Since Tepper purchased the Panthers in 2018, the team has struggled, posting a 33-70 record, including the two losses at the start of this season. Carolina has failed to make the playoffs since 2017, going through six head coaches and numerous quarterbacks in the process. The numbers speak for themselves – the Panthers have been underwhelming under Tepper’s ownership.
Will this latest crisis prompt changes within the organization? Only time will tell. But one thing is for certain – the 2024 season is shaping up to be another challenging one for the Panthers.
