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The Reckoning: Panthers Fan’s March On Mint Should Focus on Firing Fitt

Jannelle Moore

History always finds a way to repeat itself.

In 2005, over 1,000 Lions fans flooded the streets of downtown Detroit and demanded that owner William Clay Ford fire GM Matt Millen. They carried signs with Millen’s headshot crossed out and his anemic 20-57 record.  Some even wore the orange of the visiting Cincinnati Bengals while they did it.  Those fans were tired. They were tired of supporting a substandard product. They were tired of the excuses and knew the Lions would never win as long as Millen was there. 

He needed to go and he did….three years later.

While Panthers fans might not go as far as slathering themselves in the colors of visiting teams when they take their frustration, rage and disgust to Mint Street tomorrow, the energy and vibe remain.  Enough is enough. It’s time for changes and that change should start in the Front Office.  Panthers GM Scott Fitterer must go.

If team owner David Tepper is serious about making the Panthers a winning franchise, punting Fitterer to the unemployment line is the immediate move.

Picture this: Michigan and Penn State had 15 NFL teams in attendance Saturday. Division rival Atlanta Falcons were there. So were Buffalo, Houston, Green Bay, Chicago and San Francisco among others. They were nowhere to be found because they have no premium picks to scout for. Remember the Panthers lost their first round pick in 2024 and 2025 second round pick to the Bears when they traded  to select Bryce Young as the no.1 pick.  Despite not having premium picks, Fitterer and the Panthers should’ve been present. They still have their own second, third, and fourth round picks. They also have fifth-rounders from the Niners and Titans, and a  sixth-round pick from the Cardinals. This was a missed opportunity to scout some draft sleepers with the picks that they do have.

Fitterer’s decisions have hampered the performance of Young thus far in his career. Young is 1-7 as a starter and the team has scored 17 points or less in six of his eight starts.  The offensive line can’t protect him and his wideouts struggle to create separation.  The right pieces aren’t around Young and the roster is poorly constructed and that is all on Fitterer.

It’s too late for any intervention this season. The trade deadline came and went, and the Panthers are what they are currently. However, that’s not to say that they can’t start preparing for next season.

The premise of the March On Mint  Sunday is to demand better from this organization. Understandable. However, just demanding better is vague. There has to be a specific and pointed cause.  That cause and initiative should be to oust Fitterer. Once that’s done, Tepper should stay out of the hiring process and outsource it to an outside firm. This is where the change should start.

Blitzing Mint Street with “Fire Fitterer” and “Fire Reich” signs shows passion. It shows care. But will it force Tepper to fire Fitterer when Black Monday rolls around? For the sake of this sinking franchise, that’s the question that needs an immediate answer. 

UPDATE

The organizers have cancelled the event.