Which potential scapegoats might be sacrificed by the Carolina Panthers after another woeful loss sent them to a 1-8 record in 2023?
Nobody had the Carolina Panthers sitting at 1-8 through their opening nine games. There was so much optimism surrounding this team before the campaign, which stemmed from a frantic period of change and bold statements emanating from those in positions of power heading into Week 1 at the Atlanta Falcons.
Something has to be done to avoid this from completely spiraling out of control. The Panthers are going nowhere fast and could be forced into the embarrassment of handing the No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Chicago Bears as part of their trade to secure Bryce Young - a microcosm of how the franchise has gone about its business since David Tepper became owner.
Tepper's proven this week that he is an impatient man. While the billionaire's big ego suggests that admitting he is wrong about Frank Reich so soon into his coaching tenure is unlikely, the owner might demand a sacrifice for Carolina's failings as they remain the league's laughing stock.
With this in mind, here are five people who could be axed following the Panthers' latest embarrassment on primetime at the Chicago Bears.
Jared Kirksey - Carolina Panthers director of college scouting
The Carolina Panthers have not drafted well in recent years. They are getting almost nothing from their picks lower down the pecking order and even those higher up aren't living up to their billing.
Jared Kirksey is in his third season as director of college scouting. You could count on one hand - perhaps even one finger - the number of success stories Carolina's had since then.
If David Tepper demands a body be removed from the equation for the team's lack of personnel recruitment success, then he could be a candidate. Although many others should also be nervously looking over their shoulders in this scenario.
Shawn Jefferson - Carolina Panthers WR coach
Bryce Young is close to breaking point. You could see that in his post-game presser and there were visible signs of frustration on the field during the Carolina Panthers' latest loss with the national NFL audience watching.
Young is not without blame, but this is not a good situation for any rookie quarterback. The offensive line is pathetic and as for the wide receivers, they are incapable of creating the separation needed to make things easier for the No. 1 overall pick.
Relying too much on Adam Thielen - who seems to be the only one showing some legitimate fight at 33 years old - is not what anyone anticipated. The personnel isn't good enough, but wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson's inability to handle rotations effectively or get the most out of this unit makes him a potential sacrifice in pursuit of better fortunes.
Jefferson is widely respected around the league and has a son - Van Jefferson - who plays in the NFL. That only gets you so far and it's hard to look at his contribution with anything other than disappointment right now.
Jonathan Mingo is a lazy route runner who looks like a lost puppy at times. One can point to his inexperience, but this is a second-round selection with enough perceived physical attributes to make a bigger difference.
That's on coaching and a failure to execute. Jefferson isn't the only one, but the offense's failings place him firmly under the microscope.
James Campen - Carolina Panthers OL coach
Another catalyst behind the Carolina Panthers' demise this season centers on the offensive line. This unit has regressed considerably in 2023, which is a far cry from the impressive improvements made under James Campen's guidance last time around.
Campen is one of the league's most revered position coaches and it was a major coup for the Panthers to bring him on board. Frank Reich made the right call by keeping him around despite vast stating alterations elsewhere, but this is a what have you done for me lately league - being a holdover is no longer working in his favor.
Players like Ikem Ekwonu and Bradley Bozeman haven't come on. The injuries to Austin Corbett and Brady Christensen didn't help, but it's the coach's job to make the best out of bad situations - especially within a position group that often goes through more health complications than most around the NFL.
The signs were there in the preseason. Does anyone remember Campen bringing his offensive linemen together for a special tirade during one of Carolina's warmup contests? This was the first clue that things were heading in this direction.
It would be a big shock if someone wasn't let go in the coming days - especially looking at team owner David Tepper's face from his luxurious suite at the end of Thursday's game. Campen might be the one when push comes to shove.
Parks Frazier - Carolina Panthers pass game coordinator
As previously stated, it would be a bombshell of epic proportions if David Tepper put his ego to one side and relieved head coach Frank Reich of his duties. The same goes for offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, who seems to be escaping criticism despite taking over play-calling duties with very little improvement.
The offense is an absolute abomination. This might - and should - be the area where Tepper directs his anger. Especially considering how woeful the game plan was versus two of the league's worst pass defenses over the last fortnight.
Which brings me to Parks Frazier.
The passing game coordinator is a trusted ally of Reich's from their time together on the Indianapolis Colts. He even called plays for the AFC South team when Carolina's current head coach was fired during the 2022 season.
That indicates he has some form of influence on the week-to-week strategy. While the personnel isn't up to the required standard, one doesn't have to look far around the NFL to see how good offenses are scheming players open regardless of their ability.
This is a foreign concept to the Carolina Panthers. Hitch routes, stop routes, quick outs, slants, and screens are seemingly all they know.
Considering the money Tepper invested in this supposedly all-star staff, it's a disgrace. Reich might find it difficult to fire a close associate such as Frazier, but the decision could be taken out of his hands.
Scott Fitterer - Carolina Panthers GM
This would be the biggest domino to fall by a considerable margin if David Tepper decides on something more drastic. But general manager Scott Fitterer's job security should be under scrutiny after a disastrous 2023 campaign up to now.
Fitterer got some leeway over his early ventures with the Carolina Panthers. It's well-known that Matt Rhule had the final say on personnel, even if the front office figure was complicit in some eyebrow-raising moves before the current Nebraska head coach was mercifully let go.
Tepper entrusted Fitterer to mold a roster capable of winning quickly. After a busy summer, claims of dropping in a quarterback and taking off, building something special, and potentially even winning the NFC South came directly from his mouth.
"We don't plan on picking in the top 10 again". That was a direct quote from Fitterer during the pre-draft process.
He's right - the Panthers are on course to hand their No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Chicago Bears. Something that would easily represent one of the most embarrassing moments in franchise history.
Most of Fitterer's personnel moves have been disastrous. The draft selections aren't much better, with his handling of Brian Burns' contract situation also coming in for severe criticism.
If Tepper is going to do this right at long last, then removing the general manager and allowing him to pick the next head coach is essential. There can be no more holdovers. No forced relationships. This has to be a concise plan where things can blossom and evolve effortlessly.
That's what it's going to take. If it also means relieving Ftterer of his duties, then it's a small price to pay for salvation.