Panthers GM Scott Fitterer Faces Cancer Battle, Reveals How Team's Success Helps Him Stay Strong
In a deeply emotional revelation, Carolina Panthers General Manager Scott Fitterer has shared that he is currently battling cancer. Known for his steady leadership and strategic decisions in shaping the team’s roster, Fitterer now faces one of the biggest challenges of his life. However, he remains determined, drawing strength from the continued success of the Panthers.
Since taking over as GM, Fitterer has been instrumental in revamping the Panthers’ roster, making key moves to strengthen both the offense and defense. His vision has guided the team through a rebuilding phase, with a focus on long-term success. Under his guidance, the Panthers have steadily made progress and become one of the most promising teams in the NFL.
Despite facing a difficult health battle, Fitterer remains steadfast in his commitment to the Panthers and to his role as General Manager. "Every win we get here in Carolina gives me more strength to fight," he said. "It’s a reminder of what we can achieve when we come together as a team. The victories on the field help me push through and give me the strength I need during this tough time."
Fitterer’s resilience and leadership have earned him respect across the league, and fans of the Panthers have rallied around him in support. His focus on team success and his unwavering determination in the face of personal adversity inspire not only the players but also the entire Panthers fan base. His journey through this battle reflects the very values he has instilled in the team: perseverance, teamwork, and an unbreakable spirit.
As the Panthers continue to strive for success, Fitterer’s strength serves as a powerful reminder that the bonds within the team extend beyond the field. His personal fight with cancer mirrors the toughness and resilience that the Panthers display every season. Fans and players alike continue to stand by him, showing their support for the GM who has done so much to shape the future of the franchise.
Steelers Coaches Get Honest About RB Kaleb Johnson
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Kaleb Johnson has had a less-than-ideal start to his NFL career after being picked in the third round of the 2025 draft, with his special teams gaffe against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2 still remaining a point of conversation.
In that contest, Johnson failed to field a ball that bounced over his head in the landing zone and found its way to the end zone, where the Seahawks recovered it for a touchdown in the fourth quarter before going on to win by a score of 31-17.
Johnson had logged 11 snaps as a kick returner and racked up 190 yards on eight attempts before his game-changing mistake, but he hasn't gotten an opportunity on special teams since.
While meeting with the media at the start of the team's Week 5 bye, Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith revealed he didn't react to the play in real time and instead waited to deal with it while watching film.
“Connor Heyward was telling him, ‘we go over that all the time,’" Smith said. "That was before I got there. I didn’t say much on the field to him. We replaced him, and he wasn’t ready to go back out there. I dealt with it in a tape session."
Fellow running backs Trey Sermon and Kenneth Gainwell have handled all kick returning duties since the start of Week 3 while Johnson has sat and seemingly continued learning from his error vs. Seattle.
Johnson's offensive role had been minuscule over the first three weeks of the season while playing behind Jaylen Warren and Gainwell, logging just two carries for -1 yards over that span, though he finally saw an increase in his touches while the former was ruled out in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings due to a knee injury.
Gainwell handled a majority of the responsibilities out of the backfield with 25 touches for 134 yards and two touchdowns from scrimmage, but Johnson had his most productive game as a professional with six attempts for 22 yards on the ground.
Running backs coach Eddie Faulkner discussed Johnson's development thus far, stating that he has a ton of talent and that having a chance to see the field more against Minnesota should provide a nice boost for him moving forward.
“He’s doing fine," Faulkner said. "Kaleb is in a fortunate spot where he has two veterans ahead of him who are selfless and willing to help him whenever they can. He’s a great talent. There’s a growth needed there... He went in the (Vikings) game and that was a big boost for him. He was able to get a couple of good runs in there. I could feel a little bit of the pressures he had felt lifted off his shoulders."
Though Johnson hasn't been featured prominently as a rookie, there's still hope that he'll emerge as a key future piece for Pittsburgh.
