Carolina GM Hurney fired again
Marty Hurney is out again as Carolina’s general manager.
The Panthers fired their GM for a second time on Monday after the team lost eight of its last nine games and failed to make the playoffs for a third straight season.
Hurney’s contract was set to expire after the season.
“Marty is a little more traditional and I am probably a little more data-driven and analytical,” Panthers owner David Tepper said Monday. “I think meshing those two things would be good. A little bit of fresh and refresh would be good. … Sometimes you need a change, and it’s that simple.”
The team will immediately begin a search for a new general manager.
The Panthers are the fifth team this season to fire their general manager, joining the Lions, Jaguars, Texans and Falcons.
Tepper said he is looking for “alignment and collaboration” between the team’s next general manager and firstyear coach Matt Rhule.
Hurney’s ouster led to speculation he may be headed to Washington to reunite with former Panthers coach Ron Rivera. Washington fired its general manager Bruce Allen in 2019 and Rivera was hired to run football operations. Rivera and Hurney remain close friends.
This had been Hurney’s second stint with the Panthers.
He was the general manager from 2002-12 before being fired by former owner Jerry Richardson. Richardson rehired Hurney in 2017.
Edwards-Helaire sidelined: Kansas City rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire sustained hip and ankle injuries against New Orleans on Sunday and will miss the remainder of the regular season, though the Chiefs appear optimistic that he could return in the playoffs.
Edwards-Helaire was bent at an awkward angle and had to be helped to the locker room without putting any weight on his left leg.