CHARLOTTE — From the very start, the Carolina Panthers faced adversity in 2024.
In Week 1, they lost one of their best defensive players to a knee injury. Shortly after, their former number-one overall pick and starting quarterback was benched for four weeks.
Panthers General Manager Dan Morgan sat down with Channel 9’s DaShawn Brown to talk about the adversity that made the team better and this year’s draft plans.
DaShawn Brown: I’ve heard you say of Bryce, that he has ice in his veins. What confirmed that for you?
Dan Morgan: Just watching him all through college, first of all. I knew he had it in his veins, but then — you see a guy get benched the second week of the season and then come back and play the way that he did; you have to have ice in your veins. I’m just so proud of him, I’m excited for his future and I’m excited for this organization’s future and he’s a big part of that.
DB: Looking at the moves that you made in free agency you told us that defense will be an emphasis. You’re a man of your word, clearly. But I’m watching even as you went through the tape on quite a few of the signings, Rico Dowdle...you look at guys like Bobby Brown. All the intangibles that were clearly important in bringing those guys in, energy, effort—but I also heard swag. Why does that matter?
DM: First of all, I went to the University of Miami, so we’re known for this swag. I have a little bit of that in my veins... I think you have to play this game with a certain type of swagger. and then I think even us in the organization, in the front office, the coaches, I think we all have to carry ourselves with a certain amount of swagger and confidence to really perform and get to where we want to go. It’s not about talking a lot or anything like that it’s like a quiet confidence that you put the work in and that you’re ready to go.
DB: I’m sure at this point you know everybody what you’re going to do. Not just you, but what the organization is going to do. It sounds like definitely first round… I believe the quote was we’re going to be there. Why is that important that you stay in the first round regardless of whether there is movement with the eighth pick?
DM: We don’t want to be drafting this High forever. Hopefully this is one of the last times we have a pick this high… But it is an exciting time to have this pic and to add a really good player to our roster. I do think all options are on the table in terms of trading back or staying there and picking a really good player. You know, we don’t know who’s going to be. We don’t know who’s going to be there. There are seven teams drafting ahead of us, so we’ll be just as curious as everybody else even when it comes to draft night, how these guys come off the board. But that’s what makes it fun!
DB: What would you compare it to. The war room on draft night, I heard you mention all these different scenarios that you’re trying to prepare for. For those of us who will never live a moment like that. How would you describe what it is?
DM: I mean, it can be a little nerve-racking. You go into the draft, you have all these different scenarios in your head. You have your ideal scenarios… Maybe your less ideal scenarios, so I think it’s—I wouldn’t say stressful, but it definitely… It gets a little tense in there, and you see you certain guys falling off the board. You get a little disappointed because you do fall in love with certain guys during the draft process, and when they get picked by another team, it can definitely be disappointing, but you have to be ready for all situations, and we will be.
DB: What is the plan for keeping your phone charged?
DM: Oh, we’re always gonna have the charger nearby. You don’t want that thing dying on draft night.
DB: Has it ever happened to you?
DM: Nah! It definitely won’t. I’m a little too OCD for that.
DB: One name that continues to come up in reference to the Panthers and I would imagine there’s a hometown feel to that as well: Jalon Walker. I’m sure that’s not a surprise to you. As you evaluate and assess a player like Jalon, or Jalon specifically, what is it that stands out. What makes him that impact guy?
DM: You want players that are passionate about the game and love the game of football so first and foremost that stands out. Not only Jalon, but a lot of players in this draft we’re excited about. If a guy doesn’t love football, then we don’t want him here on the Carolina Panthers.. because I think if you’re not playing this game for the love of it and you’re not having fun out there, I think your chances of success, they go down a lot. So we’re looking for those types of guys.
DB: You prioritized or have said on many occasions that you are looking to find out their football story. Why they love this game. How would you answer that question?
DM: I mean, this is really all I’ve ever known. I’ve played football since I was six years old. I love everything about it. The smell of the grass once the fall hits...To the fans...To the camaraderie with the teammates. This game is so great and it’s giving so much to me. And my family and so many great memories.
DB: With that in mind, I hear it coming out of your voice, how does that inform the decisions you make in the seat that you hold?
DM: Loving the game the way that I love it, makes it easier to identify guys that also let the game like I love it’s when we’re watching guys, whether it’s on tape or talking to them in person. I think a person exudes the love of the game. Whether it’s the effort that he gives on film or just when they’re talking about football, they just light up. We’re looking for all those qualities.
>> Watch Brown’s full interview with Morgan in the videoat the top of the page.
(WATCH BELOW: Fans unable to watch Panthers training camp)
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