Tag: Morgan

Jan 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) and wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (15) reacts in the fourth quarter in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Panthers yet to pick up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option

Posted on | by Field Level Media

President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan expects the Panthers to pick up the fifth-year option on quarterback Bryce Young before the deadline next month.

The No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft is on hold while No. 2 pick C.J. Stroud, No. 3 pick Will Anderson Jr., No. 5 pick Devon Witherspoon of the Seahawks and Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (8th overall) had the options for 2027 picked up. No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson (Colts) will not have his option exercised by the May 1 deadline.

“Obviously, the player’s not in the building yet. So, once Bryce gets in the building, and we’re busy with the draft, it’s offseason,” Morgan said of why Young’s option decision wasn’t made official yet. “So we’ll get that done as soon as he gets back in the building.”

Young’s fifth-year option could be a precursor to a long-term contract, Morgan said, pointing to Carolina taking the “long view” on his development. The fifth-year option would guarantee Young’s 2027 salary at $26.5 million.

Young had his best season as a pro in 2025, guiding the Panthers to their first NFC South division title in 10 seasons. He had a career-high 23 touchdown passes and threw for 3,011 yards.

The Panthers acquired the No. 1 pick from the Chicago Bears prior to the 2023 draft and before Morgan and head coach Dave Canales were in their current positions.

–Field Level Media

Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales are dropping heavy hints about trading out of the No. 8 pick. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Panthers GM to peers: Call me about No. 8 pick

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Repeating his earlier stance on moving down, Panthers general manager Dan Morgan again invited any general manager shopping for a top-10 pick to call Carolina about the No. 8 overall selection in the first round.

With nine days to go before the 2025 NFL Draft begins, Morgan repeated his desire to trade the No. 8 pick to acquire additional assets.

“Exciting to continue building, adding talent to the roster. We’re definitely open to trading back and acquiring more picks,” Morgan said Tuesday. “I think we’re going to be open to all possibilities.”

In going through options in the first round, one option Morgan did not mention is moving up.

Typically trades for picks in the bottom half of the top 10 in the draft are made while a team is on the clock on draft day. Morgan said his phone isn’t ringing, but he’s not taking the chance rival decision-makers might make an offer to another team further down the pecking order.

As of Tuesday afternoon, all 32 teams held their original first-round picks.

“I don’t think yet,” Morgan said of any trade talks this week. “It’s still a little early for that, but maybe down the line I’ll expect it a little more. Right now, things are quiet.”

Morgan said the Panthers will make a pick in the first round. He wouldn’t go into how far he would be willing to trade back in a deal involving the eighth overall selection.

“Obviously we’ll count numbers,” Morgan said, noting needs at outside linebacker and interior defensive line. “That’s still an emphasis we want to address, just making our front seven as strong as it can be.”

–Field Level Media

General view of the Alabama Crimson Tide game against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama keeps GM Courtney Morgan from USC with hike to $825K salary

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Alabama retained general manager Courtney Morgan with a three-year contract averaging at least $825,000 following interest from other power conference teams, according to multiple reports.

CBS Sports and ESPN reported Morgan, considered an ace in the recruiting and player personnel role made more prominent since NIL and open transfer models were introduced, was considering an offer to become president of football operations at USC under Lincoln Riley.

The University of Florida hired a search firm to locate a general manager of football earlier this month. Texas Tech’s James Blanchard had his $400,000 salary approved as a two-year contract on Aug. 1.

Former Washington and UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said on SiriusXM Tuesday that Morgan’s deal won’t be the end of the trend of splashy deals for college football general managers.

“This job is going to grow exponentially. Mark my words,” Neuheisel said. “Remember this date when we thought $825k was a monster deal for a general manager of a college football team.”

Roster churn and NIL complications present ever-present challenges for head coaches in college football.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban retired in January, informing athletic director Greg Byrne the newly grown tentacles in college sports had become too difficult to manage.

“I thought we could have a hell of a team next year, and then maybe 70 or 80 percent of the players you talk to, all they want to know is two things: What assurances do I have that I’m going to play because they’re thinking about transferring, and how much are you going to pay me?” Saban told ESPN after his retirement. “Our program here was always built on how much value can we create for your future and your personal development, academic success in graduating and developing an NFL career on the field.

“So I’m saying to myself, ‘Maybe this doesn’t work anymore, that the goals and aspirations are just different and that it’s all about how much money can I make as a college player?’ I’m not saying that’s bad. I’m not saying it’s wrong, I’m just saying that’s never been what we were all about, and it’s not why we had success through the years.”

–Field Level Media

Jul 30, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales talks with quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) and quarterback Kyle Trask (2) during training camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Panthers pick Dave Canales as head coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales is on the verge of becoming the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, NFL Network and ESPN reported Thursday afternoon.

Canales spent the 2023 season as offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay and previously coached quarterbacks for the Seattle Seahawks, where new Panthers general manager Dan Morgan was among his co-workers.

Canales and Morgan were both hired by the Seahawks in 2010 and climbed the professional ranks together.

Carolina finished with the NFL’s worst record at 2-15 and ranked 32nd in total offense (265.3 yards per game), passing (161.2 ypg) and tied for last in points per game (13.9) with the New England Patriots.

Reports indicate the Panthers are working to keep their defensive staff intact.

Once he signs his contract, Canales will become the seventh head coach since owner David Tepper purchased the team in 2018, including three interim coaches. Chris Tabor finished last season as interim coach following the firing of first-year coach Frank Reich. Reich was hired over 2022 interim coach Steve Wilks, who had replaced Matt Rhule. Rhule was Tepper’s pick to replace Ron Rivera, with Perry Fewell holding down the fort as interim coach in between.

Canales, 42, was an assistant strength coach at Southern California when he was hired by the Seahawks in 2010 as an offensive quality control coach and climbed the ranks to passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He was credited for reviving the career of Geno Smith, a Pro Bowl pick with 4,282 passing yards in 2022, and received even more kudos for extracting a career year out of former Panthers’ failed revival project Baker Mayfield in 2023. Mayfield turned in career-high numbers with 4,044 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and a 64.3 completion percentage.

Canales has never been a head coach at any level.

Morgan was an NFL linebacker drafted 11th overall in the 2001 draft by the Panthers. Injuries, including a series of concussions, cut his career short after 59 games.

–Field Level Media

Feb 9, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; A Las Vegas Raiders helmet is seen at the Super Bowl LVI Experience at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders make historic hire with Sandra Douglass Morgan

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Las Vegas Raiders will name Sandra Douglass Morgan as team president, making her the first Black woman to hold that role in the NFL.

The hiring was announced to team employees in a letter obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

“I am thrilled to join you as we embark on one of the most exciting times in the history of our organization,” she said in the letter. “I look forward to meeting each of you in person over the coming weeks.”

A news conference was expected Thursday afternoon at Allegiant Stadium.

Morgan, a former Nevada Gaming Control Board chairwoman, fills a position that has been vacant since interim president Dan Ventrelle was fired in May.

“Let me be clear — I am not here to avoid or sidestep problems or concerns that need to be addressed,” Morgan said in the letter. “I’ve given long and thoughtful consideration to joining you, and I’ve done so because I believe in the promise of the Raiders. Most importantly, I believe in your core values of integrity, community, and commitment to excellence. I will expect you to embody those and to hold me accountable to doing the same.”

The Raiders have a history of breaking gender and color barriers in the NFL, including the hirings of the league’s first Hispanic head coach (Tom Flores) and first Black head coach of the modern era (Art Shell).

Former CEO Amy Trask became the first woman to hold that role in the NFL in 1997.

–Field Level Media