Whatever plan the Carolina Panthers had for the 2023 season, it blew up in their face. Now, they’re trying to clean the mess up, but that doesn’t seem possible.
Monday saw the organization move on from now-former head coach Frank Reich. The initial plan, which is unclear now, was that Reich would help develop the 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young into a franchise quarterback. Reich, of course, failed at this job as the Panthers floundered to a 1-10 record with Young resembling a bust. But as Young began to struggle, murmurs said that Reich himself didn’t actually want the young quarterback. He might have wanted the promising C.J. Stroud instead, but owner David Tepper shot him down.
With the Panthers reeling and rudderless, Tepper tried to clarify the situation with Reich and what lies ahead for Young. He also failed and only muddied the waters even more.
First off, while claiming people working for the Panthers liked Young, Tepper felt it necessary to describe what went into their draft decision. He effectively blamed the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears for not executing a trade that would’ve kept him from trading up to No. 1 overall. I’m sorry … why is he explaining this? What does it matter now, buddy?
#Panthers owner David Tepper confirms they were supposed to trade to No. 2 and take CJ Stroud because they believed Houston would've taken Bryce Young at No. 1.
Tepper says everyone in the building wanted Young.
"We are totally confident in that pick."pic.twitter.com/csmpxlkbig
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 28, 2023
Everyone knows that if you can’t make the expensive trade up to No. 2 overall, you should just go ahead and make the overzealous trade to No. 1. Talk about a horrific draft process. Setting that aside, when Tepper says everyone in the Panthers’ building wanted Young — does he mean everyone left in the Panthers’ building? I can’t tell if that’s present or past tense.
It doesn’t help that Reich reportedly didn’t want to adjust his offense for Young with more RPOs (which makes total sense with the listed 5-foot-10, 205-pound quarterback). That makes it seem more apparent he wanted a prototypical passer like Stroud:
A league source tells me that before Frank Reich was fired he was approached by the front office about incorporating more RPO plays into his game-plan to suit Bryce Young’s strengths.
Source told me Reich declined, saying it didn’t really fit his offensive system.
— Kyle Bailey (@KyleBaileyClub) November 28, 2023
OK. Let me try to wrap my head around this. (Twiddles fingers)
So, the Panthers really only traded up to No. 1 overall to draft Young because they didn’t want to wait on two other teams that would’ve helped them trade to No. 2 instead. Nonetheless, everyone in the building (or everyone remaining in the building) still wanted Young, who just got the dreaded midseason vote of confidence from the team owner after 10 whole starts.
Oh, and everyone with the Panthers’ coaching and scouting staff was unanimous on the selection. Maybe?
Panthers owner David Tepper was asked if it was true that Frank Reich wanted C.J. Stroud over Bryce Young.
"In the case of Bryce, it was almost- I believe it was a unanimous decision by the coaches and the scouts." pic.twitter.com/1AgYuNQarN
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 28, 2023
Not only does Tepper hesitate here before saying that he “believes” everyone loved Young, but he also wants to sell us on the idea that drafting the quarterback was a last-minute decision.
Right. Sure. That is rich. To me, in the spirit of the holiday season, that’s like asserting “Santa Claus” really does eat the milk and cookies children leave out for him on Christmas Eve. No one in their right mind is going to believe the Panthers, Tepper especially, couldn’t decide until the last minute about who they wanted at quarterback with the top pick. That decision was almost assuredly made in advance.
This entire Panthers situation is a gigantic mess. It reeks of an organization that saw an essential foundational year burst into flames thanks to an owner who seems way too involved in football operations. Maybe the Panthers are still entirely behind Young. Perhaps he’ll still have a successful NFL career, too. But nothing about Tepper’s press conference defending him and discussing what went wrong with Reich inspires any confidence.
This was how Twitter reacted to Tepper's bizarre press conference
David Tepper is giving major George Costanza energy
Bc of the delusional speech & selfishness not the hair
All work though
— Madi Kroll (@MadiKroll) November 28, 2023
Well done to David Tepper and the Panthers for completely wasting everyone's time.
That's a man who holds no accountability and also feels like he owes nothing to the fans
— Molly Cotten (@MollyESPN730) November 28, 2023
Main takeaway: David Tepper kept talking in generalities and his handlers kept the presser short.
I did sense a little more humility from Tepper, fwiw.— Joe Person (@josephperson) November 28, 2023
david tepper should stay away from all microphones for the next two years minimum. that guy just doesn’t get it at all.
— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) November 28, 2023
David Tepper wants to be all in the mix but has no idea what he’s doing.
— Unmistakable Latin Flavor (@PBSImpulse9) November 28, 2023
What wasn't said in the Panthers' press conference: Every time CJ Stroud makes a play, a burst of bitterness surges through David Tepper's entire being. His franchise traded up to pick the wrong guy. He's undoubtedly mad at everyone, including himself… and the world. 🤷🏻♂️
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) November 28, 2023
David Tepper: "We are totally confident in Bryce Young."
Translation: "I'll give him another year before I fire him too."— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) November 28, 2023
“Have you made a decision about Scott yet?”
David Tepper: pic.twitter.com/UNA274pZR4
— Jordan Hunt (@JayyyHunt) November 28, 2023
David Tepper is exactly the type of owner I would never want my team to have. Dude just fund the team, hire the football guys and stay out of the football affairs good lord. https://t.co/oyQvk3S38G
— JAKE ELLENBOGEN (@JKBOGEN) November 28, 2023
