CHARLOTTE, N.C. — While David Tepper's Tuesday news conference was about the decision to fire head coach Frank Reich after 11 games, Tepper took an opportunity to make it clear that the team stands behind No. 1 draft pick Bryce Young.
Tepper spent most of his news conference defending his actions as owner of the Panthers, including the decisions to hire Reich and take Young with the No. 1 pick. Carolina's faced significant scrutiny over trading up for Young, especially with C.J. Stroud putting up big numbers with the Houston Texans. Through 11 games, Stroud has thrown for 3,266 yards and 19 touchdowns. Young, meanwhile, has struggled with just nine touchdowns to eight interceptions.
Tepper said when it comes to making a draft pick, he leaned on the expertise of his coaching and scouting staffs. He ultimately supported the decisions made by the "football people" — including the unanimous decision that Young was the superior prospect.
"We preferred Bryce; he was our No. 1 pick," Tepper said. "We had a lot of conviction, but it's just not the way the process was done ... Even if it was Bryce, and the votes came in unanimously in this particular case, I could've vetoed that choice. In both cases, I supported both choices. I supported the coaches; I supported the scouts, their unanimous opinion, and I supported Frank Reich. So whatever's good, bad or indifferent, it's ultimately my fault because the buck stops here, and I take full responsibility for everything."
The Panthers ultimately sent four draft picks and wide receiver D.J. Moore to Chicago for the top pick. Tepper said that choice was made because the organization feared Stroud would be off the board with the second pick.
“As far as Bryce Young is concerned, for myself, and I think everybody in this building would share this sentiment, we’re totally confident in that pick," Tepper said. "And for me, I’m totally confident in agreeing with that pick.’’
Carolina has been mostly terrible since Tepper took ownership of the team, compiling a 30-63 record. That's the second-worst record in the league behind only the New York Jets (28-65). Carolina hasn't been to the playoffs once in Tepper's six seasons at the helm.
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