Former NFL coach Jimmy Johnson slams Panthers owner David Tepper: ‘That’s the problem’

Two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Jimmy Johnson, had a message for Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper during a Fox Sports appearance on Sunday.

“The owner of the Carolina Panthers, that’s the problem,” Johnson, who led the Dallas Cowboys to consecutive championships in 1992 and 1993, said. “He’s making the major decisions without listening to his football people. David Tepper, it’s his team. He can do whatever he wants to, but look at the people that’s left. He’s the one who wanted Bryce Young as the No. 1 pick.

“You look at Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore, Brian Burns, Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold. You look at coaches: Steve Wilks, Frank Reich, Matt Rhule. On and on, he’s run them all off. He’s making the decisions. He has got to listen to his football people and quit playing fantasy football.”

Tepper bought the Panthers from Jerry Richardson, the franchise’s founder, in May of 2018 for $2.2 billion. Carolina is worth $5.9 billion in 2024, ranking 25th in the NFL, per CNBC’s official NFL team valuations. The Panthers have the league’s worst record (31-70) since start of 2018 season, when Tepper bought the team.

Johnson, along with a panel of Terry Bradshaw and Curt Menefee, were discussing the Panthers’ current quarterback situation. Carolina benched Young after starting 0-2 this season. The second-year quarterback threw for 245 yards, three interceptions and no touchdowns through his two contests.

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Is Bryce Young’s benching the beginning of the end for last year’s No. 1 pick?

Andy Dalton will start for the Panthers on Sunday in Las Vegas against the Raiders. Dalton’s only start during his Carolina tenure came in Week 3 of last season on the road against the Seattle Seahawks. He finished going 34-of-58 passing for 361 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-27 loss.

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(Photo: David Jensen / Getty Images)