REPORT : The “Hunger Games” Culture Inside the Panthers Organization Caused the Coaches to Turn Against Frank Reich

The front management of Carolina moved up to choose quarterback Bryce Young of Alabama, the winner of the Heisman Trophy, with the first overall pick in this year’s draft. In the process, Carolina gave up star wide receiver DJ Moore, their first-round pick in 2024, a second-round pick in 2025, and the Nos. 9 and 61 picks in the 2023 draft.They made a smart move by acquiring their elite quarterback. But in a tough season, Carolina soon discovered that its franchise quarterback would be treading very carefully.The Panthers sacked head coach Frank Reich late last month, but the franchise was experiencing internal strife even before that. Following head coach Frank Reich’s sacking by Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper last week, a number of Panthers coaches, players, and staff individuals disclosed issues with the organization in anonymous statements. People inside the organization compared the culture to the movie “The Hunger Games,” according to Joseph Person and Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Some coaches and staff members allegedly texted Tepper about problems behind Reich’s back and went to tremendous measures to save themselves when it seemed like Reich was about to leave.