Carolina Panthers fire Scott Fitterer
The Carolina Panthers announced Monday that they had fired general manager Scott Fitterer, who was hired in 2021 after being the vice president of football operations for the Seattle Seahawks.
“As we move forward with the new direction for our franchise, I have made the decision that Scott Fitterer will no longer serve as our general manager,” Panthers owner David Tepper said in a statement. “I appreciate Scott’s efforts and wish the best for him and his family.”
For the first time since 2010, the Panthers finished with two or fewer wins on the season, owning the worst record in the NFL. Carolina’s offense struggled this season, averaging only 13.9 points per game. Tepper fired head coach Frank Reich after a 1-10 start to the season.
The real failure of Fetterer was his trade-up ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, which sent this year’s first-round draft pick and star receiver D.J. Moore to the Chicago Bears in exchange for the No. 1 pick, which resulted in drafting quarterback Bryce Young.
The Bears now own this year’s first draft pick from Carolina. Fitterer was also the one who traded star running back Christian McCaffrey, who has been balling for the San Francisco 49ers, for four picks ahead of last year’s trade deadline.
Young struggled during his rookie season, throwing 16 interceptions with only 11 touchdowns; he also only threw for more than 200 yards in five games. The problem is that Young is compared to the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, C.J. Stroud.
Stroud has been everything the Texans were hoping for, taking them to the playoffs and looking like the clear offensive rookie of the year. Meanwhile, it is too early to call Young a bust, though. With Atlanta, Washington and Tennessee’s head coaches getting fired over the last 24-48 hours, the Panthers will look to add a coach who can help develop Young.
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