Report: NFL Insiders Believe Panthers GM Scott Fitterer Will Be Fired 'At Some Point'

The Carolina Panthers are finishing out the string on a disappointing season, and they reportedly are expected to head in a different direction with their general manager position.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, "many people in the league believe Panthers owner David Tepper will move on from Scott Fitterer at some point" even though the GM is "well-liked" and "has a good relationship with Tepper."

Carolina hired Fitterer ahead of the 2021 season, so he hasn't exactly been given a ton of time to build a consistent winner. He was previously the Seattle Seahawks' vice president of football operations and had been with the NFC West team in some capacity since 2001.

Yet the Panthers have also fired head coaches Matt Rhule and Frank Reich the past two years and are just 2-14 with one more game remaining this season. Fowler noted the team's "struggles and back-to-back fired coaches could be tough for Fitterer to overcome."

There is also the trade the Panthers made with the Chicago Bears ahead of the 2023 NFL draft that hasn't exactly aged well to this point.

Carolina sent Chicago wide receiver DJ Moore, its own 2023 first-round pick, a 2023 second-round pick, a 2024 first-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick for the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft. That 2024 first-rounder has now turned into the No. 1 overall pick of the upcoming draft, which is an asset any team would love to have at its disposal.

The Panthers selected Alabama's Bryce Young with the No. 1 pick they traded for last year.

While it is still far too early to come to any definitive conclusions, they may have made a mistake by passing up on C.J. Stroud. The Ohio State signal-caller went No. 2 overall to the Houston Texans and could be the Offensive Rookie of the Year for a team that will be playing for a postseason spot in Week 18.

Carolina's long-term future is tied to Young's ability to live up to expectations. Fair or not, he will also be compared to Stroud as they continue in their careers.

Fitterer's trade with the Bears and the decision to draft Young set the immediate course for the franchise, and it hasn't worked out yet to this point. Perhaps it will down the line if the rookie becomes a star, but the GM may not be with the team to see that play out if he is fired.