Panthers promote Morgan to GM
The Carolina Panthers are promoting Dan Morgan to president of football operations and general manager, the team announced Monday.
Morgan, a former linebacker for Carolina, has been the team's assistant GM since 2021. The Panthers interviewed several candidates this year but opted to promote an in-house executive who's familiar with the franchise.
"Dan has a thorough knowledge of our football personnel and a clear vision to take us where we all want to go," Panthers owner David Tepper said in a statement. "We know he will attack this opportunity with the same intensity he did as a Panthers player."
Morgan played for the Panthers from 2001-07, registering 390 tackles in 59 appearances. He was a first-round pick in '01 and had one Pro Bowl nod ('04) over his career.
The 45-year-old will replace Scott Fitterer, who was fired Jan. 8 after three seasons. He'll inherit a team looking for a new head coach and under a lot of pressure after drafting quarterback Bryce Young first overall in 2023.
Carolina hasn't made the playoffs since 2017 and went an NFL-worst 2-15 in 2023, ranking in the bottom five in points scored and allowed. The club doesn't have a first-round pick in the 2024 draft after sending its selection to the Chicago Bears as part of the trade to pick Young last year.
Improving Young's supporting cast likely will be the Panthers' top priority after the Alabama product struggled as a rookie. The 22-year-old finished Year 1 with only 11 touchdown passes against 10 interceptions.
The Panthers have interviewed 12 head coaching candidates so far this year.