The Carolina Panthers acquired the Chicago Bears’ 2024 first-round draft pick in a blockbuster trade from the previous year. The Panthers moved up to the top spot in the 2023 draft to select quarterback Bryce Young, but finished last season with a 2-15 record. Despite having the first pick in the draft, the Panthers could not make their selection as the Bears held the rights to the pick and chose quarterback Caleb Williams instead. David Tepper purchased the Panthers in 2018, but the team has struggled under his ownership, finishing with a losing record in each of the six seasons since he took over.
Tepper’s ownership of the Panthers has been marred by off-field incidents, including a recent altercation over a sign outside a Charlotte bar that appeared to criticize his influence on the team’s drafting decisions. The sign read, “Please Let The Coach & GM Pick This Year,” referencing Tepper’s perceived role in choosing Bryce Young over C.J. Stroud in last year’s draft. Tepper visited the bar and had an exchange with the staff, where he took a hat off a man’s head that featured the Philadelphia Eagles logo. The bar’s owner, Dave Wohlforth, stood by the message on the sign, indicating that Tepper’s involvement in draft decisions was a concern.
Despite not having planned to be active in the first round of the draft, the Panthers made a trade to get into the first round and selected South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette with the 32nd pick. This move came after a sign outside the same restaurant had previously criticized “meddling owners” like Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys. Additionally, a video emerged showing Tepper allegedly throwing a drink at a Jacksonville Jaguars fan from his luxury suite during a game, resulting in a $300,000 fine from the NFL. The marquee outside the Dilworth Neighborhood Grille mocked Tepper for spilling his drink due to the team’s poor performance.
Tepper’s involvement in the Panthers’ decision-making process has been a source of controversy, with fans and critics questioning his influence over draft choices and team operations. Despite the team’s struggles on and off the field, Tepper’s ownership of the franchise continues. The Panthers’ selection of Bryce Young over C.J. Stroud last year and their subsequent trade to acquire Xavier Legette in this year’s draft suggest that the team is trying to make moves to improve their roster. However, ongoing tensions between ownership and fans, as seen in the incident at the bar, highlight the challenges facing the Panthers and their ability to build a successful team.
