PANTHERS OUST GM

The Carolina Panthers sent a shock through the NFL on Monday, announcing that general manager Dave Gettleman had been relieved of his duties eight days before training camp is set to begin. “After much thought and a long evaluation of our football operations, I have decided to relieve Dave Gettleman of his duties as general manager,” Panthers owner and founder Jerry

Richardson said in a statement. “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.” The Panthers went 6-10 last season, one year after making a run to Super Bowl 50, which they lost to the Denver Broncos 24-10. Gettleman had become known for taking a firm stance on negotiating with players, such as when Carolina announced that it was removing the franchise tag from star cornerback Josh Norman last year, allowing him to sign with the Washington Redskins. Another reason the timing of the move was curious is that the Panthers recently lost Brandon Beane, who had been their assistant general manager, to the Buffalo Bills as their new GM.