Surviving David Tepper: The Carolina Panthers Story

The Carolina Panthers are quickly becoming the NFL’s worst franchise, and much of the blame rests squarely on the shoulders of their owner, David Tepper. The 2024 season is barely underway, but fans have already made their frustrations clear. The team’s on-field performance has been poor, and for some, it seems like things are reaching a breaking point. A Panthers fan recently went viral for selling two tickets to this weekend’s home opener for a total of $1.80, a move that speaks volumes about the level of dissatisfaction in Carolina.

As Pat McAfee pointed out on his show, the 2024 Panthers are “disappointing,” and he’s not the only one calling attention to the problems in Carolina. For fans, it’s become increasingly clear that the root of the issues lies with Tepper. His decision-making has come under intense scrutiny, especially surrounding last year’s draft, when rumors swirled that he overruled former head coach Frank Reich’s preference for quarterback C.J. Stroud, opting instead to draft Bryce Young at No. 1 overall. While Young continues to struggle, Stroud is showing signs of being a stud for the Houston Texans.

Tepper’s track record as an owner is hardly better. Since purchasing the Panthers in 2018, the team has yet to post a winning season. Six years in, the Panthers have churned through six head coaches, including multiple midseason firings, and Tepper has fired two general managers during that span. The franchise’s overall record of 31-68 under Tepper ties them with the New York Jets for the worst in the NFL.

Perhaps the most damning critique of Tepper’s ownership is that there seems to be no clear plan for the future. Fans are willing to endure tough seasons if there’s hope on the horizon, but under Tepper, that hope feels distant. Tepper’s involvement in personnel decisions, particularly his aggressive move to trade away key assets like wide receiver DJ Moore and multiple first-round picks for the chance to draft Young, has left the Panthers with a team that lacks offensive firepower and depth.

But Tepper’s issues go beyond poor football decisions. There’s the incident where Tepper, visibly frustrated after an interception, allegedly threw a drink at a Jacksonville Jaguars fan from his luxury suite. This behavior sparked outrage, with many calling it a “terrible look” for both Tepper and the franchise. In a league where professionalism at the top is crucial, Tepper’s actions have led many to wonder if his temper and micromanagement are causing irreparable damage to the team.

As McAfee and others have pointed out, Panthers fans may be in for a long ride with Tepper at the helm. The franchise's future looks bleak, and with Tepper seemingly unwilling or unable to build a successful football team, it’s hard to see when, or if, things will turn around in Carolina. Panthers fans are losing patience, and for good reason.