Panthers request interview with Dan Morgan for assistant GM spot

With owner David Tepper, head coach Matt Rhule and general manager Scott Fitterer all finding homes with the organization over the past three years, the Carolina Panthers have seen its new regime now settle in. That, however, doesn’t mean it won’t be going ahead without some old faces.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Panthers have requested permission from the Buffalo Bills to interview former linebacker Dan Morgan for their assistant general manager position. Morgan has served as Buffalo’s director of player personnel since 2018.

Oh yeah, Morgan was even something of a player for Carolina back in the day. Ok, maybe he was more than just “something,” having been drafted by the team out of the University of Miami with the 11th overall pick of the 2001 NFL draft.

The 6-foot-2, 245-pound wrecking ball went on to become a fan favorite, playing key parts in the historic defensive turnaround from 2001 to 2002 and on the 2003 Super Bowl squad. Morgan recorded a Super Bowl-record 18 tackles in the memorable 32-29 loss to the New England Patriots.

He’d then be selected as an All-Pro and Pro Bowler for the first and only times in his career the next year after posting 102 combined tackles, 2.0 sacks and two interceptions in 2004. Numerous lower body injuries cut Morgan’s career short, as the linebacker retired after just seven seasons.

As far as his post-playing career, he has received continuous praise in his current role for the Bills. Morgan, additionally, has experience working alongside Fitterer, with both having been apart of the Seattle Seahawks’ brass dating back to 2010.

The Panthers, as reported by Rapoport as well, will also seek to interview Ian Cunningham for the same opening. Cunningham is currently the assistant director of player personnel for the Philadelphia Eagles.