Former NFL coach Jimmy Johnson criticizes Panthers owner David Tepper: ‘That’s the problem’

September 22, 2024

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Former NFL coach Jimmy Johnson criticizes Panthers owner David Tepper: ‘That’s the problem’

Two-time Super Bowl winning coach Jimmy Johnson had a message for Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper during an appearance on Fox Sports on Sunday.

“The owner of the Carolina Panthers, that’s the problem,” said Johnson, who led the Dallas Cowboys to back-to-back championships in 1992 and 1993. “He makes the big decisions without listening to his football people. David Tepper, it’s his team. He can do whatever he wants, but look at the people who are left. He’s the one who wanted Bryce Young as No. 1.

“You look at Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore, Brian Burns, Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold. You look at coaches: Steve Wilks, Frank Reich, Matt Rhule. It just keeps going, he’s run them all away. He makes the decisions. He needs to listen to his football people and stop playing fantasy football.”

Tepper bought the Panthers in May 2018 for $2.2 billion from franchise founder Jerry Richardson. Carolina is worth $5.9 billion in 2024, ranking 25th in the NFL, according to CNBC’s official NFL team ratings. The Panthers have the league’s worst record (31-70) since the start of the 2018 season, when Tepper bought the team.

Johnson, along with a panel of Terry Bradshaw and Curt Menefee, discussed the Panthers’ current quarterback situation. Carolina benched Young after he started the season 0-2. The second-year quarterback threw for 245 yards, three interceptions and no touchdowns in his two games.

GALLING DEEPER

Is Bryce Young being benched the beginning of the end for last year’s No. 1 pick?

Andy Dalton will start for the Panthers on Sunday in Las Vegas against the Raiders. Dalton’s only start during his Carolina tenure came in Week 3 of last season, visiting the Seattle Seahawks. He finished 34 of 58 passes for 361 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-27 loss.