Something that’s struck me today is how Ickey Ekwonu walked out of the locker room without media attention and how little talk there is about him in these pressers.
A top-10 pick who quietly went through a successful first season is pretty much what you’d want from that spot.

— Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) January 9, 2023

Fitterer says this is perceived as "a very, very attractive job," because of the young core, and a winnable division (lack of QBs in NFC South), as well as owner David Tepper's commitment.

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023

Fitterer: This is the year we could take some shots on explosive athletes, after spending last year fixing the OL.

Mentions a vertical receiver, TE, speed on defense.

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023

Panthers GM Scott Fitterer says he had a "good talk" with C Bradley Bozeman today regarding his future at Carolina, says he'd want to keep him here

— Augusta Stone (@augustalstone) January 9, 2023

Fitterer says RG Austin Corbett tore his ACL in yesterday's game.

Will be back around the start of the regular season.

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023

Panthers GM Scott Fitterer says starting guard Austin Corbett tore his ACL

— Augusta Stone (@augustalstone) January 9, 2023

Fitterer on offensive line: "That's a group we can build on."

C Bradley Bozeman is a free agent "we would like back."

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023

Asked about future at QB, Fitterer said it will depend on the next head coach.

This figures to be a consistent answer for the next bit.

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023

Fitterer says he won't comment on individual names that are out there in regards to the coaching search, "some right, some wrong."

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023

Panthers GM Scott Fitterer here to recap the season: "This is probably one of the most resilient teams I've been around."

— Augusta Stone (@augustalstone) January 9, 2023

Panthers GM Scott Fitterer up next.

Begins by thanking players and coaches, the entire organization.

"It was a long year, a trying year, we went through a lot. They never wavered."

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023

Wilks refers to his days at Johnson C. Smith, said he told players there "be big-time where you are."

He's carried that message through each day.

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023

Wilks asked about "leader of men" description, he tries to be a leader for the whole organization.

Says he can tell the morale in the entire Panthers organization is better now.

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023

Wilks: "None of you guys expected us to be in this situation (a game away from the playoffs), so I have no regrets."

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023

Steve Wilks was just asked about some of his proudest moments from this season. Here’s what he said:
- the first home win of his tenure (over Tom Brady and the Bucs)
- winning on the road in Seattle
- the way the team finished yesterday’s game against New Orleans

— Kristen Balboni (@KristenBalboni) January 9, 2023

Asked which game he was most proud of during his tenure, Wilks begins with the home win against the Bucs, and "bringing the excitement back" to Bank of America Stadium.

He was 4-1 here, coaching in his hometown.

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023

Steve Wilks says he told the "core" players on the Panthers' roster they have a lot they can build on in the future during meetings today.

"We won our last game on the road and our last game at home. That’s a lot to build on when you look at what we’ve done."

— Augusta Stone (@augustalstone) January 9, 2023

Wilks on his message: "For us to accomplish what we need to accomplish, we had to get back to our old mantra of Keep Pounding."

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023

Wilks says he's going to be consistent, won't talk about the upcoming search for the permanent job.

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023

Steve Wilks begins press conference by thanking David Tepper for the opportunity to coach this team for the last 13 weeks. pic.twitter.com/nOEX6IvYll

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023

This is how specialists say so long at the end of a long season — with a feeding.

Johnny Hekker and JJ Jansen are never far from the cafeteria, and will now have to procure their own food for a few months. pic.twitter.com/5gXPZLInqP

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023

A lot of players voicing support for interim coach Steve Wilks, including Brian Burns.

“Wilks is my dog. I love Wilks.”

Said he’s proven himself. “He’s qualified in many ways.”

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023

Brian Burns said yesterday showed the character of the team.

“How you do anything is how you do anything.”

Tried to be hands on and coach yesterday since he was out with an ankle injury.

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023

He said he will be shaving the beard in the next few days, though https://t.co/oHf10yiEFu

— Augusta Stone (@augustalstone) January 9, 2023

Panthers LG Brady Christensen rolls through on a medical scooter, left ankle in a cast. He said he suffered a fracture yesterday but is optimistic.

With RG Austin Corbett getting an MRI on his knee, there are some significant tests happening.

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023

CB Donte Jackson said he’s “100%” sure he’ll be back for training camp, says he isn’t rushing his recovery from the Achilles injury but is confident in his progress

— Augusta Stone (@augustalstone) January 9, 2023

Panthers cleaning out lockers today for the last time this year.

Josh Norman asked if he still wants to play next year.

“I know I still can.”

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023

K Eddy Piñeiro says he hasn’t had any conversations regarding his future with the Panthers, but he said he’d love to be back here.

Piñeiro heads into free agency this offseason, was added to the roster after Zane Gonzalez’s preseason injury

— Augusta Stone (@augustalstone) January 9, 2023

CB Jaycee Horn says his wrist injury was a “clean break” that is recovering well. He says he was told he could have had an opportunity to play with it if the Panthers had gone to the postseason

— Augusta Stone (@augustalstone) January 9, 2023