Carolina Panthers fire GM Dave Gettleman in shocking move
The Carolina Panthers have shockingly fired general manager Dave Gettleman prior to the start of training camp, as reported by the team…
In a shocking move, the Carolina Panthers have fired general manager Dave Gettleman, who had been with the team in that capacity since 2013…
GM Dave Gettleman has been relieved of his duties. https://t.co/KS8zxjhwOh
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) July 17, 2017
Considering the odd timing, this was a very peculiar and shocking move. I’m sure details will soon emerge, but Panthers owner Jerry Richardson weighed in on the decision:
"While the timing of this decision is not ideal, a change is needed.” - Panthers owner Jerry Richardson on the firing of GM Dave Gettleman
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) July 17, 2017
So top two personnel executives with #Panthers (Gettleman-fired, Brandon Beane-now GM of Bills) are out. Two years ago in Super Bowl.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) July 17, 2017
The Panthers perhaps saw an opportunity to get a general manager like John Dorsey and thought this was the best time to jump at it, or perhaps they have another candidate in mind. One way or another, the timing of this firing seems to indicate that the relationship between Gettleman and the ownership in Carolina wasn’t the best.
In Gettleman’s tenure as GM, the Panthers missed the playoffs just once (2016) and appeared in Super Bowl 50 in the 2015-16 season.
At the age of 66, Gettleman should be able to find work elsewhere in the NFL if he wants it. As a scout and front office executive, he’s been part of three championship teams and nine conference champion teams.
His free agent work in Carolina was poor, and there were rumors swirling this offseason that team captain Greg Olsen would hold out for a new contract. This move at the top obviously complicates matters.
There had been rumblings that all was not well with Gettleman and owner Jerry Richardson stemming from allowing star CB Josh Norman to walk.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 17, 2017
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It seems as though Gettleman was perhaps treading thin ice, and the Panthers obviously feel like they’ve seen enough. Just one season removed from making it to the Super Bowl with the NFL’s top offense, the Panthers took a major step back in 2016.
That’s not uncommon in the NFL, as winning is obviously incredibly difficult, but perhaps ownership feels like the Panthers missed out on a chance to bring back a true star defensively in Josh Norman, who could have helped them contend in the NFC South with the reigning conference champion Atlanta Falcons.
Instead of paying Josh Norman, Gettleman opted for a couple of rookies at cornerback, and while they turned out to be pretty good, the ownership can’t have been happy with the fact that the Panthers theoretically could have been better last season.
Where the team goes from here will be very interesting to see.