Panthers suddenly fire GM 8 days before training camp in 'absolute stunner'

pulse

July 17, 2017 6:22 PM

The Panthers "relieved" GM Dave Gettleman of his duties eight days before training camp, reportedly catching players and staff off-guard.

The move came as a surprise to much of the NFL world, who didn't see the firing coming, especially this close to training camp, which opens July 26, according to their website.

In a statement, team owner Jerry Richardson said, "

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Gettleman and Richardson may not have been getting along well, dating back to the Panthers rescinding a franchise tag offer to Josh Norman. Norman then left and signed a five-year, $75 million contract with the Washington Redskins.

Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer reported that players were just as surprised:

Norman also weighed in:

After making and losing the Super Bowl to the Denver Broncos in 2015, the Panthers struggled in 2016, following up a 15-1 campaign with a 6-10 season. Cam Newton regressed and seemed to play through injury at times, and the secondary defense, which was stifling in 2015, often got exposed by opposing receivers.

It's unclear who the Panthers will hire to replace Gettleman, but the timing is certainly odd, particularly with the season so near and the draft and free agency in the rearview mirror.

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