In a not surprising move, the Carolina Panthers hired former general manager Marty Hurney as interim general manager. Hurney takes over for Dave Gettleman, who on Monday was fired by team owner Jerry Richardson despite helping Carolina reaching the playoffs including a trip to Super Bowl 50 in three of his four seasons. Marty Hurney joined the Panthers in 1998 after serving in the Chargers’ front office, was named the GM in 2002 and helped the Panthers reach the Super Bowl after the 2003 season. But after large contracts and four straight nonwinning seasons (2009 to 2012) ultimately led to Hurney dismissal, the Panthers were $16 million over the salary cap when Gettleman was hired.
Hurney has remained in Charlotte after being fired in 2012, purchasing a radio station ESPN 730. Among the current players, Hurney drafted is quarterback Cam Newton, middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, center Ryan Kalil, outside linebacker Thomas Davis and defensive end Julius Peppers. Hurney also helped bring in the six captains on the team. Will also help Carolina pick a full-time general manager, names that have been floated around are Trent Kirchner, who works in the Seattle Seahawk’s front office and Ryan Cowden, who is with the Tennessee Titans. In an interview, Jerry Richardson said that he is trusting Hurney to make decisions that will impact the team long term; which means he will probably give Greg Olsen and Thomas Davis contract extensions. I still do not like the fact the Panthers fired Dave Gettleman Monday but since that happened, I don’t mind the idea of Marty Hurney as the interim GM to help the Panthers get through the season on onto next offseason so Carolina can get their shit together. I’m just afraid he going to sign certain players to ridiculous contracts that will haunt the Panthers in the future. So I guess we will just have to wait and see, so while we wait to tell me what you think of the Panthers new interim GM and who the Panthers should get as full-time GM in the comment section below!
