Panthers continue clearing house by firing GM 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 in a statement.
"I appreciate Scott's efforts and wish the best for him and his family."

This was the right move as the Panthers have been arguably the worst franchise in the NFL since he took over.

The Panthers finished with the NFL's worst record at 2-15, securing the franchise's second 15-loss season in a 9-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium. 

The shutout was the second in a row for a Panthers organization that hadn't been kept off the scoreboard since Week 7 of 2002 before losing 26-0 to the C.J. Beathard-led Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17. 

Fitterer's tenure in Carolina -- which ended with a 14-37 record with him in charge of personnel -- will be remembered for franchise-altering trades and poor track record on draft day. 

In 2021 he traded for failed Jets quarterback Sam Darnold and then brought in Baker Mayfield for 2022 when that failed. Darnold is now the backup in San Francisco while Mayfield just led Tampa Bay to the NFC South title. 

Fitterer decided to blow the whole squad up after starting 1-5 in 2022, sending Christian McCaffrey to San Francisco for a haul of picks. That offseason he sent their best remaining weapon in wide receiver D.J. Moore and four picks for the top pick in the 2023 draft. 

They famously selected diminutive Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with that pick instead of Ohio State's C.J. Stroud. Panthers fans got to watch a seemingly endless cycle of sacks and checkdowns from Young while Stroud led Houston to the top of the AFC South. 

While the chaotic situation in Carolina made it nearly impossible to call Young a mistake after a single season, there are very few successful picks to point to in the Fitterer era. 

His debut first-round pick in 2021 was cornerback Jaycee Horn at number nine, who has been solid when healthy but has played in only 22 games. He selected Ikem Ekwonu with the sixth overall in 2022 to anchor the offensive line, but he instead allowed the most sacks of any offensive lineman this season. 

The most encouraging thing to be said about Young's rookie year is that he remained healthy throughout, missing just one game early in the year despite taking 62 sacks. But he threw only 11 touchdowns to 10 interceptions while racking up just 2,877 passing yards on the year and eclipsing 300 yards in a game only once. 

Stroud meanwhile will likely win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in the AFC, while Anthony Richardson flashed explosive plays for the Colts before getting hurt early in the year.  Even Will Levis, who wasn't expected to start in Tennessee this season, showed more promise than Young. 

Fitterer won't be the man owner David Tepper needs to build a competitive roster. But while Panthers fans should be glad to see Fitterer let go, there will be very little optimism that Tepper will bring in somebody who can.