David Tepper, Leadership, and the New Carolina Panthers

This season, something feels different in Carolina, and I’m not just talking about the roster. The tone of the entire organization has undergone a change. Tepper has been noticeably quieter. More patient. More in the background than ever before.

At 5–5, the Panthers are in a good position to compete in the division while also evaluating what talent they want to keep and develop. There’s no artificial “win-now” pressure placed on a roster that isn’t ready for that yet.

And for the first time since he bought the franchise, the Panthers look… stable.

Fans and analysts have noticed the shift:

A Hands-Off Approach

Head coach Dave Canales and GM Dan Morgan appear to have genuine autonomy. Canales made the call to bench Bryce Young last year. A decision that would have been unthinkable in the previous regime. That move alone signaled that leadership, not ownership, was driving football operations. Both men have made their fair share of mistakes this year, but growth and improvement can only come from those mistakes. As a fan, I need to see what they are capable of doing. What do they bring to the table, and not what are they told to do?

Less Spotlight, More Support

Pat McAfee was quoted: What I noticed, though, at one point, they looked at (David) Tepper to get an answer. Tepper didn’t say sh*t. All anybody has said about Tepper is that he’s hands-on, hands-on, hands-on. Too handsy, too involved. He’s not letting the football people do their thing. We just watched in the biggest moment for their franchise, a top ten pick, he just sat there and let everybody do their jobs. I think if you’re a Panthers fan, you love everything you saw there.” The Draft-day coverage showed Tepper standing behind decision-makers rather than forcing himself into the center of the room. That matters. Visibility reveals priority. Tepper being “just a voice,” and not the voice, is leadership.

Learning From Mistakes

The revolving door of coaches. The public outbursts. The reputation is “one of the worst owners in sports.” Everyone saw it. Tepper did too. And this year, it appears that he has learned the most important leadership lesson of all: Let the people you hire do their jobs.

A Broader Focus

Tepper has reportedly spent more time focused on Appaloosa Management and broader economic discussions. Sometimes stepping away gives leaders the clarity to step back in the right way.

For the first time in a long time, Panthers fans can say something positive about Tepper: He’s growing. He’s listening. He’s leading.
And the product in the field reflects it.

Leadership Over Money: Why Tepper’s Growth Matters

Tepper’s shift reminds us of a universal truth: leadership shapes outcomes far more than money ever could. I’ve seen this as a teacher, a coach, and a lifelong Panthers fan. There have been jobs where the paycheck was big, but the leadership drained every ounce of joy. Also, I have worked under leaders who inspired growth even when the salary wasn’t eye-catching.

That’s because good leadership doesn’t just change environments, it changes people.

And that lesson isn’t reserved for billionaires or NFL owners. It belongs to all of us. Every person hits moments when things aren’t going well. The turning point is choosing to look inward instead of outward. True leadership begins with self-awareness, humility, and the willingness to grow. You’re never too successful or too inexperienced to learn something new.

This year, it looks like Tepper is learning that lesson too. And the Panthers are finally seeing the benefits.

Strong Leadership = Strong Culture

As Michael Lewarne explains in his article on leadership, a leader’s vision ultimately becomes the culture of an organization. The same truth applies in sports. Struggling teams don’t stay at the bottom because they lack money, but they stay there because they lack leadership. The NFL’s parity system makes this clear. Good owners hire the right people, trust them, and build a vision that naturally turns into a strong, unified culture. Bad owners meddle, micromanage, and surround themselves with yes-men, creating a culture with no identity, no direction, and no accountability.

For years, Tepper fit the latter description. But this year, he looks far more like the former—someone finally building a vision that is reshaping the culture of the Carolina Panthers.

Money Doesn’t Equal Leadership

“Whoever loves money never has enough.” — Ecclesiastes 5:10

Money can cause panic, ego, and over-control. Leaders who chase control often create chaos.
Leaders who trust their people create culture. Tepper seems to finally be chasing leadership, not control.

“The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” — Ronald Reagan

What This Means for the Panthers

The Panthers don’t need a billionaire owner who wants to be a GM. They need a billionaire owner who empowers his GM. This year’s Panthers feel more unified, disciplined, and vision-driven because the tone at the top has changed. Dave Canales can coach. Dan Morgan can build. The players can develop. And Tepper can support instead of steer.

That’s leadership.

A Message to David Tepper

Please, Mr. Tepper, keep being patient with this team.

We’ve seen what the Panthers look like under impulse. This season, we’re seeing what they look like under patience.

And for the first time in a long time, Carolina feels like a franchise with direction, identity, and hope. It turns out the Panthers never needed the richest owner in the NFL. They just needed a leader willing to step back so others could step forward. And remember, Mr. Tepper, when the Panthers finally win a Super Bowl, the first person to hold that trophy will be you.

Lead with patience. The reward will be worth it.