The Carolina Panthers fired general manager Scott Fitterer on Monday after three seasons.
Panthers owner David Tepper announced the move, adding that assistant GM Dan Morgan is in charge of day-to-day operations in the interim.
“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,” Tepper said in a statement.
Fitterer was hired ahead of the 2021 season, and the franchise went 14-37 during his short reign. He hired Frank Reich last season, who Tepper fired after a 1-10 start to the 2023 season.
Fitterer moved up from ninth to No. 1 in order to draft Bryce Young in last year’s draft. He gave up two first-round picks and wide receiver DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears, who now own the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft as a result of the Panthers finishing with the NFL’s worst record.
Fitterer dealt perennial All-Pro Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers but eschewed trading Brian Burns to the Los Angeles Rams, who were offering two first-round picks. Burns will be a free agent after the sides were unable to come to terms on a long-term deal.
Later Monday, the Panthers revealed a list of nine candidates for their vacant head-coaching position and eight candidates for the GM role that they requested to interview.
The head-coaching list included two names reportedly on the Commanders’ list — Lions OC Ben Johnson and Rams DC Raheem Morris — along with two Baltimore Ravens coordinators, Todd Monken (offensive) and Mike Macdonald (defensive).
The list also features perennial candidate Dan Quinn, currently the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator; up-and-coming Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik; Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan; Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith; and Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales.
On the GM side, the Panthers requested permission to interview the following:
–Giants assistant GM Brandon Brown
–Buccaneers assistant GM Mike Greenberg
–Chiefs vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis
–Eagles assistant GM Alec Halaby
–Saints assistant GM Khai Harley
–Ravens vice president of football administration Nick Matteo
–Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds
–Raiders interim GM Champ Kelly
