In a dramatic turn of events, Carolina Panthers' owner David Tepper made a surprise visit to a local restaurant following a sign controversy regarding the team's draft picks. The sign, displayed outside Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, pleaded with Tepper to "Let The Coach & GM Pick This Year," implying dissatisfaction with his involvement in the team's draft decisions.

The sign specifically referenced Tepper's alleged influence in selecting Bryce Young over C.J. Stroud as the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The message caught the attention of Tepper, prompting him to pay a visit to the restaurant before Round 1 of the draft on Thursday night.

Surveillance footage captured the moment Tepper entered the Charlotte restaurant, eager to find out who was responsible for the sign. However, owner Matt Wohlfarth, who had put up the sign, had already left for the day. According to the Charlotte Observer, Wohlfarth, a season-ticket holder since 1995, stated that Tepper's reaction seemed more on the joking side.

Interestingly, this was not the first time Tepper had visited the establishment in response to a sign. After the Panthers finished with a disappointing 2-15 record in the previous season, a sign outside the restaurant read, "Meddling owners never win. Run from Jerry Jones." Wohlfarth revealed that Tepper had been "sorta pissed off" about that sign, likely due to his perception as a meddling owner.

Criticism has been directed at Tepper for being overly involved in the Panthers' operations since he acquired the franchise from Jerry Richardson in 2018. The team's record since then, standing at 31-68, combined with four head coaching hires and zero playoff appearances, has only intensified the scrutiny. In fact, in January, Tepper was fined $300,000 by the NFL for throwing a drink towards Jacksonville Jaguars fans during a decisive Week 17 loss.

The visit to Dilworth Neighborhood Grille highlights the growing tension between Tepper and fans who desire a more hands-off approach from the owner. As the Panthers head into a new season, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact the team's dynamics and possibly the decision-making process in the future.

As the football world eagerly awaits the outcome of the draft and the performance of the newly selected players, the controversy surrounding Tepper's involvement in personnel decisions continues to raise eyebrows. Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching how the Panthers navigate this situation moving forward and whether they can break free from their recent struggles on the field.