Dan Morgan is appointed general manager and president of football operations.
Despite having a familiar face, the Panthers’ front office is adopting a novel approach. As director for player personnel before his relocation to Buffalo in 2018, he gained knowledge of numerous organizations that have constructed consistent winners.
On Monday, the Panthers appointed former linebacker Dan Morgan as the organization’s President for Football Operations/General Manager. As part of a front office restructuring, Morgan will also oversee personnel operations.
By placing Morgan in this role, they can leverage his football experience and exploit his connections with coaches, players, and agents across the league, in light of the intensity he brought to the field.
In addition to his impeccable playing record, he served as an intern for the Seattle Seahawks in 2010, advanced through the ranks during their Super Bowl run, and was ultimately appointed director of professional personnel for the organization.
Panthers owner David Tepper remarked, “Dan has an in-depth understanding of our football staff and a very clear vision for where we all wish to go.” “We know he is going to pursue this opportunity in the same zeal he showed as a Panther player.”
Morgan, selected first overall by the team in 2001 from Miami, contributed to the development of the defense’s bedrock, which flourished and propelled the team to its inaugural Super Bowl appearance two years later.
From his time spent playing for Sam Mills to transferring the baton to Jon Beason or Luke Kuechly, this type of middle leadership has defined the organization’s performance on the field.
Undoubtedly, Carolina’s reputation is in dire need of rehabilitation. In recent years, the Panthers became an aimless organization, drifting during the Matt Rhule era before collapsing under Reich.
Now is more than ever to right the wrongs of the ship, and Morgan has been appointed as the captain tasked with executing that process.
By his status as a middle linebacker, he belonged to a lineage that has for generations defined Panthers football.
Morgan’s advancement signifies the third internal rise of this recruitment cycle, following in the footsteps of new Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo as well as Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce, both of whom were elevated to prominent and permanent positions.
While his status as a beloved Panthers-era veteran may provide an initial boost, his ultimate evaluation will be based on his performance and the team’s results in the coming seasons.
The process commences with the appointment of a coach who possesses the ability to restore quarterback Bryce Young’s progress; however, this represents only a portion of the extensive checklist that was formally presented to Morgan on Monday.
Morgan was selected in the Panthers’ first round of the 2001 NFL Draft out of Miami. He spent his whole NFL career with the Carolina Panthers, including the franchise’s inaugural Super Bowl appearance in 2003. He was selected to the Pro Bowl following the 2004 season.
In 2010, Morgan began working as a player scout for the Seattle Seahawks, following his retirement as a player in 2007.
Eight seasons were spent in the front office of Seattle, the last three as a director of professional personnel in charge of pro scouting.
Morgan assumes control of the front business of a franchise that finds itself at a critical juncture following a turbulent 2023 campaign.
Carolina and the Chicago Bears exchanged a package consisting of two first-round picks as well as wide receiver DJ Moore for the No. 1 overall pick in the previous season less than a year ago.
That selection was utilized by the Panthers to acquire quarterback Bryce Young, whose rookie NFL campaign was a failure.
Young was selected in preference to C.J. Stroud, who led the Houston Texans through the playoffs during an outstanding rookie campaign that is presently regarded as deserving of Rookie of the Year recognition. In the interim, Moore enjoyed a stellar season in Chicago.
A first-round pick will not be available to the Panthers during Morgan’s inaugural season as front office manager.
The Bears acquired that pick in the Younger trade, and it became the team’s initial overall selection after Carolina’s league-worst performance in 2023.
In January, Fitterer was terminated by owner David Tepper, weeks after the dismissal of manager Frank Reich eleven games into his inaugural campaign.
Tepper will subsequently determine whether to replace Reich with a head coach. Uncertain is Morgan’s level of involvement in that determination.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, an interview with former Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell is scheduled.
Additionally, it was reported on Monday that former head coach of the Commanders Ron Rivera will meet with the Eagles to discuss the position.