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

Will Panthers GM be able to overcome owner David Tepper?

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 1/22/24

The Panthers found their general manager, but whether things improve in Carolina depends on how much influence owner David Tepper has over Dan Morgan.

On Monday, the organization announced Morgan, who was the assistant general manager under former GM Scott Fitterer and also played linebacker for the team from 2001-07, will be in charge of player personnel going forward.

ESPN's Adam Schefter shared Morgan's journey to the job, which also included stops in Seattle and Buffalo.

New Panthers GM Dan Morgan:

Drafted No. 11 overall by the Panthers in 2001.

Made the Pro Bowl in 2004.

Played seven seasons with the Panthers.

Ranks 10th in tackles in franchise history.

Worked in the Seahawks front office from 2010-2017.

Worked in the Bills… https://t.co/Uk3ASeixL1
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 22, 2024

For the move to succeed, Morgan must be able to work without Tepper's interference. Reports suggested the Panthers owner was the driving force behind Carolina's decision to draft quarterback Bryce Young at No. 1 overall during the 2023 NFL Draft. Tepper refuted that claim in November, telling reporters, "I believe it was a unanimous decision," following former head coach Frank Reich's firing.

Since buying the team in 2018, the Panthers are 31-68 and haven't finished a season with a winning record, establishing Tepper as one of the league's worst owners.

In a 26-0 loss to the Jaguars in December, he tossed his drink onto a Jaguars fan and was fined $300,000 by the league.

If anyone in the Panthers organization can stand up to Tepper, it would seem to be Morgan. While the decision to promote from within after an exhaustive search frustrated a segment of the fanbase, ESPN's Panthers reporter David Newton shared that, as a player, Morgan "was aggressive and hard-hitting and smart... He'll bring the same approach to the front office."

When people ask me about new Panthers GM Dan Morgan I simply say he was Luke Kuechly before there was a Luke Kuechly. He was aggressive and hard hitting and smart as a player. He'll bring the same approach to the front office.
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) January 22, 2024

Carolina needs someone who can stand up to Tepper and tell him to leave football decisions to football people. Whether Morgan is that person will ultimately determine if he'll be the one to lift the Panthers out of their rut.

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