4 things Scott Fitterer should know after one year as Panthers GM

Carolina Panthers need a better evaluation process

Another element to the Carolina Panthers that needs a rethink is pro personnel evaluation. This is something that’s been the team’s undoing on more than one occasion since Scott Fitterer came into the fold and it’s going to take a great deal of self-thought and discussion to adjust the entire thought process.

This doesn’t necessarily point to the draft picks, in all honesty. Fitterer has gained a solid reputation for finding late-round gems during his time in the NFL and Carolina’s class of 2021 was pretty promising overall despite Jaycee Horn going down with a broken foot in Week 3 at the Houston Texans.

However, the same cannot be said of prominent free-agent signings. The Panthers’ decision to acquire Cam Erving and Pat Elflein within hours of free agency getting underway was a grave error in judgment and this also applies to the ill-fated trade to land Sam Darnold from the New York Jets.

These moves ended up costing the Panthers in a big way. Considering how the pressure is now firmly on to steer a sinking ship in the right direction in 2022, there has to be a better process in place when it comes to finding the correct veteran pieces that can help the team push on.

Fitterer has to be at the heart of this. Even if Matt Rhule is still getting the final say on all personnel moves, according to multiple media reports.