Panthers fire GM Fitterer after league-worst season
The Carolina Panthers announced Monday they fired general manager Scott Fitterer.
"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. "I appreciate Scott's efforts and wish the best for him and his family."
Fitterer took the job in 2021 after serving as the vice president of football operations for the Seattle Seahawks.
Carolina finished the season with the league's worst record at 2-15 following a 9-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's the first time Carolina slumped to two or fewer wins since 2010. Tepper fired head coach Frank Reich in November amid a 1-10 start to the year.
The Panthers do not own the No. 1 pick in this year's draft, as it was traded along with wide receiver DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears in a blockbuster move last offseason to move up and draft quarterback Bryce Young.
However, Young struggled in his rookie campaign, throwing for 2,877 yards with 11 touchdowns to 16 turnovers. He eclipsed 200 yards passing in only five contests, while No. 2 pick C.J. Stroud did so 12 times.
Carolina's offense struggled as a whole, scoring only 13.9 points per contest, tying the New England Patriots for the NFL's worst mark. Many of Fitterer's offseason moves to help the offense backfired.
He signed running back Miles Sanders and tight end Hayden Hurst to long-term contracts this offseason, but the two combined for only 616 yards this season. Fitterer also signed wide receiver Adam Thielen to a three-year deal. Thielen started strong but only managed 289 yards in his final seven contests.
The Panthers failed to add significant talent through the draft during Fitterer's tenure. Only nine of the 17 picks selected from 2021-2022 remain on the roster or practice squad, and just three from the 2022 class.
Fitterer was in charge when the club traded star running back Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers leading up to the 2022 trade deadline. He has totaled 3,233 yards in 27 contests since being dealt.
This is the first time since 2002 that the Panthers will have to hire a new GM and head coach in the same offseason.