Panthers Owner David Tepper Considering Major Shakeup Following Season

According to Jason La Canfora, Panthers owner David Tepper is unhappy with how the 2019 season has gone for the Panthers and is considering a major shakeup on the football side of the operation. 

Per La Canfora, Tepper expressed his displeasure with the state of the team to several members of the organization following Carolina’s blowout loss to the Falcons, who entered the game with two wins, last week.

Panthers GM Marty Hurney and HC Ron Rivera, whose defense has struggled in recent weeks, could both be on the chopping block if the team’s fortunes don’t change. Tepper held a midweek interview with local media with the job status for those two the only topic he declined to discuss. 

La Canfora expects Rivera to be one of the hotter coaching candidates if he hits the market this offseason. He has one year left on his deal and Tepper might not be willing to offer Rivera the kind of extension he’s looking for. Sources also add Tepper might lean toward a more analytical, offensive-minded head coach. 

All options are also on the table with Panthers QB Cam Newton, according to La Canfora, who writes many around the NFL still expect Carolina to trade Newton this offseason. 

Sitting at 5-5 with two games against New Orleans, a rematch with Atlanta and games against Seattle and Indianapolis, the odds of the Panthers making the playoffs are looking increasingly slim, with the odds of major changes coming in 2020 looking increasingly likely. 

Rivera, 57, has spent the past nine years as the Panthers head coach and has led them to a record of 76-61-1 (55.4 percent), which includes four playoff appearances and a trip to the Super Bowl a few years ago.