Understandably so, the 2023 Carolina Panthers will be judged by the final two numbers in their win-loss record. But, as interim head coach Chris Tabor has stressed this week, they’ll also be judged by the names on their backs.
On Friday, Tabor took the lectern for the final time ahead of his team’s season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was asked how he and his players, who are an NFL-worst 2-14 to this point, can put their stamp on this last outing.
“Like I mentioned earlier in the week, you have your name on it,” Tabor replied. “And that’s a lot right there. At the end of the day, your name and your tape—those are important things.
“I think people, when there’s change that’s gonna take place, people are gonna come in—and as I’ve always stated and I’ve stated it to the players—they’re gonna look at: How did you play those last games when the adversity was at its highest? And I always say, that says a lot about a player . . . and a coach. So, we got a lot at stake on this game.”
Tabor, who has led the Panthers to a 1-4 mark since taking over in Week 13, was then asked how he’d evaluate his stint as the team’s interim head coach.
“Obviously, you always wanna win more than you lose,” he said. “But with regards to tryin’ to show some improvement—I think we have done that. Disappointed in how we played last week. That’s why I’m so excited about this last opportunity.”
In addition to building off last Sunday’s shutout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Panthers also have a chance to spoil a third straight NFC South title for the visiting Buccaneers.
