Changes could be coming for Panthers after owners' reaction to loss

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper. Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Changes could be coming for Panthers after displeased owners' reaction to loss vs. Titans

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 11/26/23

Even as the losses continued to stack up, the Carolina Panthers brass was seemingly prepared to take the patient approach with first-year head coach Frank Reich. However, owner David Tepper's reaction to his team's most recent loss might mean Reich is on the hot seat.

Following a 17-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans, Tepper wasn't shy about showing his displeasure with the Panthers performance.

A very pissed off David Tepper just left the locker room. He was shaking his head and yelled, "F-ck!"
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) November 26, 2023

The expectations weren't extremely high for the Panthers, with a rookie QB in Bryce Young and Reich only in his first season with the franchise.

However, everyone involved expected better than a 1-10 record over 12 weeks. No matter the circumstances, losing at the rate the Panthers have gets head coaches fired, and so do upset owners.

Tepper has not indicated that he's mulling possibly moving on from Reich after only one season, but the relationship between the two seems cold at best.

Reich has stated that he hasn't spoken about the future with Tepper and confirmed the two didn't talk after the team's Week 12 loss.

Frank Reich says that he did not speak with David Tepper following the game.
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) November 26, 2023

To Reich's credit, he hasn't stopped fighting despite the team's lackluster results.

"You're 1-10. What are you going to do? Start feeling sorry for yourself. Think something's going to magically fix everything?" Reich said via the Panthers. "No. We lost a close football game today. These games are winnable."

Tepper's anger is warranted. However, if he wants to blame anyone, he should start with himself. Since purchasing the Panthers in 2018, none of the moves made under Tepper have brought the franchise much success.

The Panthers have had five different head coaches, including interim coaches Perry Fewell and Steve Wilks. Furthermore, 10 quarterbacks have started games for the Panthers, including Young, whom Tepper allegedly preferred over Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Unsurprisingly, the Panthers are only 30-63 in the Tepper era. However, if they want to fix the problems that have plagued them over the past few seasons, firing another head coach might not be the remedy.

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