Don't call it a rebuild: 4 thoughts on Panthers' waiver claims and retooling process

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Following one of the more eventful waiver-wire days in Carolina Panthers’ history, the two men behind most of the moves met with the media Thursday to discuss them.

On paper — and even in person to a degree — Dan Morgan and Brandt Tilis appear to be an odd couple. Morgan, the first-year general manager, was the Panthers’ middle linebacker during their first Super Bowl appearance before becoming a Seattle Seahawks scout after retiring. Tilis, the first-year executive vice president of football operations, is a marathon runner who graduated from the University of Rochester with degrees in economics and statistics.

“We’re more alike than what people would think,” Morgan said.

“I think that’s what makes us really good,” Morgan added. “I’m the quote-unquote football guy. Then Brandt who’s got the brains and the cap (knowledge). But it’s much more than that. We’re learning from each other. And Brandt knows football and I know the cap. But I think we help sharpen each other every single day. We challenge each other.”

With the Panthers on their third head coach and second general manager in less than two years, some stability would do the franchise good. And despite their different backgrounds and never having worked together previously — Tilis handled the Kansas City Chiefs’ contracts and salary cap before landing in Charlotte — he and Morgan say they’re on the same page.

“We got on a Zoom call together and you would’ve thought that we had known each other forever,” Morgan said. “It’s been like that since Day 1 (with) our communication.”

Tilis said the two value collaboration and open-mindedness, allowing them to be steadfast in their beliefs but humble enough to listen to other ideas. Both also had much to say about the roster. Four takeaways from the Panthers’ 53 in the wake of a busy two days:

Panthers kind of got away from the big CB profile last season. But with yesterday’s three claims and moving forward, Dan Morgan said they are definitely looking for outside length. pic.twitter.com/ztJbMIg1A6

— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 29, 2024

1. Don’t call it a rebuild

Morgan and new coach Dave Canales have been careful not to set any expectations for a team coming off a 2-15 season. And while the Panthers kept or acquired veterans such as tight end Jordan Matthews and cornerbacks Mike Jackson and Lonnie Johnson, several of their roster decisions were made with an eye on the future.

Former Oklahoma center Andrew Raym and four of the six players the Panthers claimed are either rookies or in their second year. Tilis said there’s alignment between the front office and the coaching staff in terms of balancing immediate needs and “being mindful of how are we going to field a competitive roster in the future.”

Most pundits are predicting the Panthers to finish among the worst teams in the league, and a projection model by The Athletic’s Austin Mock set their win total at 6.4. But Morgan said he views this more as a “retooling” than a rebuilding.

“We have a really good core of guys we’re excited about. We’re excited about the season,” he said. “We don’t want to put any expectations on the season, but that’s not to say we’re not confident about the season. We’re gonna work our butts off and that’s all we know how to do.”

Asked why he’s stayed away from expectations, Morgan said: “We’re dealing with the reality of things. And the reality of things is we control every single day. We can either get better or we can get worse.”

Lonnie Johnson played in 12 games for the Saints last season. (Robert Hanashiro / USA Today)

2. Panthers have a type

Early in Scott Fitterer’s tenure as GM, the Panthers brought in several cornerbacks like Jaycee Horn, Keith Taylor and Rashaan Melvin. That was in keeping with the philosophy in Seattle, where Fitterer and Morgan spent a lot of years on John Schneider’s scouting staff.

The Panthers seemed to get away from that approach last year, when smaller corners D’Shawn Jamison and Dicaprio Bootle both started games. But it’s clear big is in again. While moving on from Jamison and Bootle, the five corners the Panthers added are all 6-1 or taller: Jackson, Shemar Bartholomew, Keenan Isaac, Tariq Castro-Fields and practice-squad member Johnson.

“It’s a big man’s league so we want some big corners out there that are physical, can run and do the type of things that we want to do from a schematic standpoint,” Morgan said.

Morgan said after he replaced Fitterer in January, he met with Canales, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and other coaches about their desired profile for specific positions. Clearly, they have a type when it comes to corners.

“We all came down to the size, the length, just guys with that athletic profile that we’re looking for. So we’re really sticking to that,” Morgan said. “And I think as we continue to build, I think you’ll see more and more of that.”

Canales was in Seattle with Pete Carroll, whose affinity for physical corners dated to his years at Southern Cal. But there’s more involved than just a tape measure.

“Length is forgiving, especially on close plays where a receiver could potentially make it,” Canales said. “Defensively, we’re still profiling the agility of these guys. It’s not just good enough to be 6-feet or above and have length. It’s like, can you coordinate all your levers? Can you get your feet underneath you? So we evaluate all that stuff.”

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3. Looking for an edge

Morgan didn’t say what the preferred profile is for an edge rusher. But 10 days before the opener at New Orleans, the Panthers are still looking for one to start opposite Jadeveon Clowney. A day after Canales indicated that spot was still up for grabs among K’Lavon Chaisson, DJ Johnson and Eku Leota, Morgan said he’ll continue looking four outside help.

The Panther claimed Jamie Sheriff after the Seahawks waived the undrafted free agent from South Alabama. Sheriff led Seattle with three sacks in the preseason, and Morgan said the 6-1, 254-pounder has a good motor.

Morgan declined to say when rehabbing pass rushers D.J. Wonnum and Amare Barno would be ready, and echoed Canales’ comments on what he called an ongoing competition at OLB2. “I think somebody really needs to separate themselves over there,” he said. “But I think we’ve got a lot of guys that can do it together and do it right.”

4. Claims department

Morgan wasn’t sure if the six claims the Panthers made were the most he’s been a part of at roster cutdowns, but he promised to stay aggressive on the waiver wire. The Panthers hold the top spot in the claiming order for the first three weeks of the season, guaranteeing they’ll get any waived player they want. After that, the order is based on teams’ records.

“Obviously, we’re at an advantage. But we’re at an advantage that we don’t want to be at for years to come,” he said. “We’re looking for that to change. We’re not gonna put expectations on it. But we’re looking to put the work in and we’re gonna be aggressive.”

So expect more roster churn and retool — errrr, rebuilding — or whatever the Panthers’ new brain trust wants to call it.

(Top photo of Jamie Sheriff: Joe Nicholson / USA Today)

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