Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper is feeling as bold as brass, making a wild proclamation about his team for the 2026 season right before training camp kicks off. This isn’t just some casual sideline chat either, Tepper dropped his big expectations during a “fireside chat” event on Thursday evening.
Tepper’s Confidence Soars After 2025 Playoff Berth
The big event at Bank of America Stadium was actually celebrating two huge milestones, including the extension of their long-running naming rights deal for the venue. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan, and Tepper himself were all there, with FOX Sports host Curt Menefee moderating the whole thing. When Menefee asked Tepper how he was feeling about the team heading into training camp, the owner didn’t hold back. His response was a bold proclamation, one that he admits might have been a bit tongue-in-cheek, but it makes it clear he absolutely wants it all for the Panthers this year. Can you blame him? The guy got a taste of sweet success in 2025. For the first time in his eight-year reign, the Panthers actually clinched a postseason berth.
From 8-9 Playoff Team to Sky-High Expectations
Think about that for a second: Tepper’s Panthers made the playoffs last season, winning the NFC South with an 8-9 record via a three-way tiebreaker. That’s a wild ride to the postseason, isn’t it? And once they were there, they definitely showed out in the wild-card round. They nearly pulled off a bracket-busting upset of the Los Angeles Rams, right there in Charlotte. That kind of performance clearly fueled Tepper’s expanded expectations for this 2026 campaign. If his standard for this year is met, then Bank of America Stadium will once again be buzzing with extra football action, running well into mid-January. The pressure is on for Tepper’s squad to deliver on their owner’s bold words, and the league is watching what happens next.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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