Carolina Panthers hire former Kansas City Chiefs executive to key front-office job
The Carolina Panthers announced an experienced addition to their front office on Wednesday.
The franchise has hired Brandt Tilis as its executive vice president of football operations, the team said via release. Tilis will report to Dan Morgan, the team’s newly hired president of football operations and general manager, as part of a new front office restructuring.
“It’s great to add Brandt and his experience to our organization,” Morgan said in a statement. “He comes from a championship-caliber team in Kansas City and will play a lead role in our front office. We are looking forward to getting him here and working together to build this team.”
Tilis will be responsible for all football administration and non-coaching matters related to operations, equipment, video and analytics, per the team. He will also lead contract negotiations and salary cap management, among other duties.
Tilis was in the mix for a lot of different jobs this offseason, including the Panthers’ general manager job. He has been with the Kansas City Chiefs for the past 14 seasons, rising up from a salary/contract analyst to the VP of football operations during a historic organizational run that’s bordering on a dynasty.
Among the most impressive credentials accumulated in his time with the Chiefs: He became the club’s lead contract negotiator in 2017 and signed Patrick Mahomes to that record-breaking, 10-year, $450 million contract in 2020 — one that will likely make him a Chief for the bulk of his prime if not for the rest of his career.
What will Brandt Tilis, Dan Morgan need to do improve the Panthers?
The job of rejuvenating the Panthers, who finished a league-worst 2-15 in 2023, won’t be easy. Tilis and Morgan — along with newly hired head coach Dave Canales, who has a previous and successful working relationship with Morgan — have a whole bunch of tasks in their first offseason.
They will need to determine what to do with two-time Pro Bowler and star pass rusher Brian Burns, who will become a free agent in March. Franchise tagging him will cost around $21 million — if last year’s numbers are any indication — which will eat up a substantial chunk of the Panthers’ cap room in 2024, so negotiating an extension would be optimal.
The two will also need to figure out what to do with the other 20 Panthers set to be unrestricted free agents in a few months. That includes linebacker Frankie Luvu — who has broken out in the past two seasons and been a key leader on a strong defense — and a few pass catchers, including receiver DJ Chark. Giving second-year quarterback Bryce Young ample talent to thrive will be wildly important, too, considering all the assets the organization traded away last year to get him at the No. 1 overall pick.
The 2024 NFL Draft will also be crucial, considering the team doesn’t have the benefit of having the first-round pick. The annual event will take place April 25-27 in downtown Detroit.
This story was originally published January 31, 2024 at 4:55 PM.
