CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The typical Monday Morning Quarterback crew was vocal after the Carolina Panthers fell to 1-10 after losing to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday 17-10.
Team owner David Tepper announced on the team's X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Monday morning that he "met with Coach Reich this morning and informed him that he will not continue as head coach of the Carolina Panthers."
It's Reich's fault
Moments after that graphic was posted, diehard Panthers fans took to social media, voicing their frustrations with the beleaguered franchise.
"I’m never been ashamed of being a Carolina fan but I am ashamed of the past few years," Matthew Gilberto posted on WCNC Charlotte's Facebook page.
"Should have been gone!!!!" Marie Davis posted.
"Good," Lynn Howie said. "He promised a lot this summer and produced nothing.
"Finally!" Stacey Malker Thomas posted.
"Shouldn't have hired him in the first place," scwill908 wrote in a post on X.
It's Young's fault
Some others decided to point to the rookie quarterback Bryce Young as the issue behind the team's failure.
"Don’t think Reich had a fair chance with the team he was given," Susan Koch Matre posted. "Need to bench Bryce Young & put Andy Dalton in That was the only game we looked good but I think Tepper is the one not allowing the swap at QB. This QB situation reminds me of the Rodney Peet era when the fans chanted 'We Want Jake' in the middle of the game."
"Trade young he is cam Newton after his prime," efrmdakk posted on Instagram.
It's the O-Line's fault
Others blamed the dismal offensive line.
"[Bryce Young] has like 3 seconds or less to get the ball out of his hands before being sacked because they have NO offensive line," Jo Anne Stafford argued. "Even the best QBs in the business need time and coverage to carry out a play. He does run very well when he finds an opening, but he can’t do it all!"
"Focus on the offense line - the Panthers can’t protect the quarterback or run the ball," Dwayne Morgan wrote in a post on X.
"Spend the $$ on a solid offensive line…won’t matter who is coaching….gotta protect the QB and allow him time to throw to our receivers," tylrsmom04 posted on Instagram.
It's the draft choice
One fan even brought up the idea of blaming the draft choice.
"Should have gotten CJ Stroud!" Ginger Bakalli posted. Cheryl Regan quickly brought up the offensive line again, saying "without at o-line, I don’t think Stroud would’ve done well here. He’s doing well where he is because he has several weapons on his team."
The owner even dropped an F-bomb after the team lost on Sunday, nearly foreshadowing his decision to come the next day. Tepper's frustrations are warranted. He has seen the Panthers struggle to a 30-63 record ever since he bought the team in 2018, including the team's dreadful 1-10 showing this season.
It's Tepper's fault
It didn't take long before the fan base turned on Tepper, too.
"Tepper has got to do something with his decision making, like give it to someone else!!!" Mary McBride Artello-Kneidel posted on WCNC Charlotte's Facebook page.
"Need to fire the owner," Marti Duncan posted.
"Tepper is the problem," Michael Strayhorn said.
"Tepper needs to go as well!!" Michelle Webb Brown posted. "His decision making skills have proved he doesn't know NFL football!! Steve Wilks should've remained head coach!! PERIOD!!!"
"Can't fire the guy that needs to go, Tepper," Casey Stevenson wrote in a post on X.
"Ummmm...this is a no brainer," Erin Elizabeth Mitchell posted. "It starts at the top ! Ever since Tepper has taken over the team it's been a total mess, not just this season every season since he took ownership. Time to look in the mirror Mr. Tepper."
"This organization will never be a winner under Tepper," Brian Crenshaw said on WCNC Charlotte's Facebook page. "Every decision he makes turns into a failure. He may be great in Finance, but he stinks as an NFL owner."
It doesn't matter
Even with the change at head coach, a few fans felt hopeless.
"It won’t help," Patrick S. Lowder posted.
"Get rid of everybody and start all over," Mike McDonald said.
"Doesn’t matter who the coach is," David Harwood wrote in a post on X. "This team will always be a dumpster fire 🔥 team. Until you find a new owner."
"Get rid of the entire team and get them out of Charlotte," gp2four8 posted on Instagram. "They’re awful and will always be awful."
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