The NFL has fined Panthers owner David Tepper $300K after he was spotted throwing a drink at Jags fans from his open-air suite. The moment came as the Panthers were shut out 26-0 by the hometown Jags. The team was playing without Trevor Lawrence for the first time since they drafted him. “I should have let NFL stadium security handle any issues that arose. I respect the NFL’s code of conduct and accept the League’s discipline for my behavior,” Tepper said in a statement. The video was originally uploaded to social media by a Jags fan in a nearby suite. However, as the league’s second-richest owner, the fine is 0.000001% of his net worth.
The loss ended the Panthers’ 342-game streak without a shutout. Furthermore, it is one of the lowest points in an overall terrible season. Despite grabbing Bryce Young first overall in the 2023 Draft, the team started 0-5 and currently sit at 2-14. Tepper fired head coach Frank Reich earlier in the season, the third head coach Tepper has dismissed since buying the team in 2018. Of course, chants of “sell the team” could be heard intermittently throughout the game. On the field, the Panthers generated less than 200 yards of total offense.
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Panthers Secure First Overall Pick…For The Bears
Furthermore, the shutout loss means that the Panthers secured the first-overall pick in the 2024 Draft. However, thanks to the trade that landed them Young, the Bears will pick at No. 1 instead when April rolls around. If the Bears opt to stick with Justin Fields, the NFL could see Chicago trade the No. 1 pick for the second year in a row. Furthermore, the 7-9 Bears are expected to have a top-10 selection with their own natural 2024 pick.
As with the 2023 Draft, quarterbacks are expected to head the first few picks. Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (North Carolina), and Heisman winner Jayden Daniels (LSU) are all expected to be off the board in the first three picks. Furthermore, J.J. McCarthy (Michigan) and Michael Penix Jr (Washington) could sneak into the first round. Given the latest draft projections, this will likely see Chicago, Washington, and New England debut rookie starters in 2024.
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