Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper gives votes of confidence to coach Matt Rhule, QB Sam Darnold

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper, speaking to reporters Wednesday for the first time since Matt Rhule went 5-11 and 5-12 in his first two seasons, gave a strong vote of confidence to his head coach.

Tepper reminded that when Rhule was given a seven-year deal in January 2020 he said it could take five years to build an organization capable of sustained excellence.

He added «maybe it'll be six years'' on Wednesday.

»I believe in Matt. He has my full support,'' Tepper said in a 30-minute Zoom session. "… I am a fan. I don't like to lose. Who likes to lose? I want to win. But it takes time and it takes a foundation, and it takes time to create the foundation to win. I do believe Coach Rhule and [general manager] Scott [Fitterer] have done a great job of creating that foundation.''

Tepper also gave a vote of confidence to Sam Darnold on the eve of Thursday's NFL draft in which quarterback remains on the table for Carolina with the No. 6 pick.

«I do want to say one thing, I do think we have a very good quarterback in Sam Darnold,'' Fitterer said in response to what quarterbacks in this year's draft were capable of getting Carolina to a Super Bowl. „That wasn't your question, but I'll just say that.''

Darnold was 4-7 last year as Carolina's starter and is 17-32 overall since the New York Jets made him the third pick of the 2018 draft.

Tepper noted Darnold was 3-0 last season before running back Christian McCaffrey was injured. He also noted Darnold suffered a shoulder injury that put him on injured reserve for four games.

“So there was a lot of different things that happened last year that hopefully will not repeat this year that do give me some hope,'' said Tepper, whose team has gone 22-43 since he paid