Panthers Finally Win, but Criticism of Owner David Tepper Grows

The Panthers won their first game of the 2024 NFL season Sunday, after the benching of 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick Bryce Young led to a week-long discussion about dysfunction surrounding the franchise and owner David Tepper. 

Carolina upset the Raiders 36-22 in Las Vegas, led by newly appointed starting quarterback Andy Dalton, 36, who threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns. It also marked the first win for first-year head coach Dave Canales, who was hired in January after Tepper fired head coaches midseason the previous two years.

Forever Young?

After starting 0-2, the Panthers made the unprecedented decision to bench Young after just 18 starts in the NFL—and a 2-16 record. As the top pick in last year’s draft, Young signed a fully guaranteed four-year, $38 million contract. If he were to be released after this season, he would carry a dead cap hit of $22.4 million, according to Spotrac, and $12.3 million if he were traded. 

However, on Sunday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Carolina is not interested in trading Young this fall, despite fielding multiple inquiries from other teams after his benching. 

Blame Game

Ahead of Week 3 action kicking off Sunday afternoon, multiple pregame NFL shows took shots at the leadership of Tepper.

“The owner of the Carolina Panthers, that’s the problem,” two-time Super Bowl champion coach Jimmy Johnson said on Fox NFL Sunday. “He’s making the major decisions without listening to his football people. … He’s got to listen to his football people and quit playing fantasy football.”

On ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown, Randy Moss echoed a similar sentiment. “The laughingstock of the National Football League is the Carolina Panthers,” the Hall of Fame receiver said. “And it’s not because of how they’re playing. It’s everything, from ownership all the way down.”

Following the victory in Las Vegas, Carolina now sits at 1-2, still in last place in the NFC South.