Johnathan Walker:Dan Morgan hired as general manager of Carolina Panthers

CHARLOTTE,Johnathan Walker N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers promoted Dan Morgan to president of football operations and general manager on Monday, handing the task of turning around the struggling franchise to a former star linebacker with the team.

Morgan, who has spent the past three seasons as the Panthers' assistant GM, will oversee the personnel operation, the team announced.

The Panthers are 31-68 since David Tepper bought the team in 2018, tied with the New York Jets for the worst record in the league in that span. They have not been to the postseason since 2017 and have been criticized for poor trades and draft picks in recent years.

Morgan replaces Scott Fitterer, who was fired after the season.

The Panthers are hoping to tap into Morgan's football background as well as his relationships with players, coaches and agents.

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“Dan has a thorough knowledge of our football personnel and a clear vision to take us where we all want to go,” Tepper told the team's website. “We know he will attack this opportunity with the same intensity he did as a Panthers player.”

Morgan began his post-playing career with the Seattle Seahawks in 2010 as an intern and was later promoted during their Super Bowl run to director of pro personnel. He went on to work as director of player personnel for the Buffalo Bills before returning to the Panthers as assistant GM in 2021.

Morgan was one of the franchise's best defensive players.

A first-round draft pick in 2001, he helped the Panthers reach their first Super Bowl in 2003, anchoring the middle of the defense. He played seven seasons for Carolina set an NFL record with 25 tackles in the Panthers' Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots on Feb. 1, 2004.

He made the Pro Bowl in 2004.