The Carolina Panthers have announced that effective immediately, general manager Dave Gettleman is no longer with the team. After four seasons in which the Panthers went 40-23-1, reached the Super Bowl and won the NFC South for three consecutive seasons, Gettleman was let go less than two weeks before the Panthers begin training camp in Spartanburg, S.C.
While no reason was given by the team, Panthers owner Jerry Richardson issued a very short pre-written statement explaining the move:
“After much thought and a long evaluation of our football operations, I have decided to relieve Dave Gettleman of his duties as general manager. I want to thank Dave for the role he played in our success over the past four seasons. While the timing of this decision is not ideal, a change is needed.”
Panthers.com writer Bill Voth had this to say while trying to piece together reasons for the decision:
“Odds are Gettleman further alienated key veterans by how he handled extension requests this summer from Greg Olsen
and Thomas Davis. It’s not hard to imagine that Gettleman’s blunt approach was irksome to Richardson, especially if it involved Davis. No player has exemplified what he wants his franchise to represent more than 13-year veteran. So when Gettleman and Davis were unable to get on the same page about how and when to get a deal done, Gettleman ran out of rope.”
No word on how this will affect contract negotiations between the team and Thomas Davis or Greg Olsen, who have recently been outspoken about their desire for new contracts, or who the Panthers are eyeing for a replacement, as former assistant GM Brandon Beane left for the Buffalo Bills in May.
