Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper may be taking a back seat compared to his old meddling ways, but he still has a ruthless streak and doesn't take failure well.
And with the Panthers on a three-game losing run, rumors are circulating about Tepper's unhappiness with head coach Dave Canales, especially given the bigger things that were expected.
Tepper was bullish before the season. He was looking forward to the Panthers securing their first winning record under his ownership, which has been a long time coming.
David Tepper's patience is being tested by Carolina Panthers' poor form
After years of managing things horribly, Tepper was winning back fans' good graces, and the Panthers seemed to be on the up.
Now, they are in danger of regressing.
The Panthers are 3-5 after losing to the Denver Broncos. They still somehow lead the NFC South, but that will change if they cannot end their slump by beating the New Orleans Saints on the road.
And reports suggest Tepper is watching things more closely.
Carolina's confidence in Canales hasn't wavered. Fans are getting restless, believing the Panthers need a firmer hand to take the next step. And firing defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero hinted at increased pressure in the building.
NFL insider Jason La Canfora is among those hearing whispers around the league about Tepper's dissatisfaction with how things have gone over Carolina's opening eight contests. Changes aren't imminent, but speculation about what the billionaire will do if the Panthers keep struggling will only grow with more losses.
Dave Canales must prove capable of picking the Carolina Panthers up
Tepper has been trigger-happy in the past when it comes to firing coaches. He waited too long with Matt Rhule, and Frank Reich got just 11 games before he was canned. Steve Wilks was let go despite the interim leading a renaissance, with Canales chosen to take this project forward.
This has provided some much-needed stability over the last three years.
But at the end of the day, this is a results business.
The Panthers' highs are high, and the lows are too low. One can blame the injuries for their inconsistent form, but every team gets them. And after reaching the playoffs last season with an 8-9 record, Tepper was no doubt expecting the same or better this time around.
Thanks to the dismal quality of the division, the Panthers have a shot at achieving this objective. But it's also clear that this team is way behind the legitimate contenders.
There is still time to turn things around. The Panthers have some winnable games upcoming, and it won't take much to win the NFC South unless there is a meteoric surge from someone else.
That's something, at least. But given the investments made in the roster and Tepper's ambitious plans behind the scenes, the product is just not good enough.
Until that changes, the rumors will increase. And even though Tepper seems more patient and willing to let things play out these days, that has limits.
The heat is on, and Canales must deliver.
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