The Carolina Panthers have announced the promotion of Dan Morgan to the position of general manager and president of football operations. Morgan, a former Panthers linebacker, returns to the franchise where he spent seven seasons as a player and rejoined in 2021 as the assistant to then-general manager Scott Fitterer.
A Pro Bowl player during his time with the Panthers, Morgan was a first-round pick out of Miami in the 2001 NFL Draft. He played a key role in the 2003 team that reached the franchise’s first Super Bowl and earned a Pro Bowl selection after the 2004 season.
Following his retirement as a player in 2007, Morgan transitioned to the front office, starting with the Seattle Seahawks in 2010 as a player scout. Over eight seasons with the Seahawks, he progressed to the role of director of pro personnel, overseeing pro scouting efforts.
In 2018, Morgan joined the Buffalo Bills as the director of player personnel, where he served for three seasons before rejoining the Panthers in 2021 as the assistant general manager.
Morgan’s appointment comes at a critical juncture for the Panthers, who experienced a challenging 2023 season, finishing with a 2-15 record. The franchise, less than a year removed from a significant trade with the Chicago Bears, faces ongoing scrutiny over the decision to select quarterback Bryce Young with the No. 1 pick in the last draft. The team traded two first-round picks and wide receiver DJ Moore to secure the top selection.
The Panthers, under Morgan’s leadership, will navigate the absence of a first-round pick in the upcoming draft, which belongs to the Bears as part of the Young trade. Owner David Tepper, who dismissed both Scott Fitterer and head coach Frank Reich during the 2023 season, will look to Morgan to play a crucial role in shaping the franchise’s future. Morgan’s experience as a player, scout, and front office executive positions him well for the challenges ahead as the Panthers seek to regain momentum in the league.
