Analysis: The Way The Panthers Fired Dave Gettleman Was A Huge Mistake - Why Our Future Looks Grim, And Why Competent GMs May Not Even Come Near Us

[Saca312]

With the recent Gettleman firing, the question comes up: "Who's next in line?"

It's a fair question.The Panthers need to bring in a new GM soon, especially with roster cutdowns coming underway. After all, it's imperative the team ensures any hidden talent doesn't find itself getting sucked into other teams when they trim the roster down to 52.

However, the question in it of itself lacks context. The real question should be "who'd even come near this organization?"

Under Gettleman and his leadership, the Panthers went 40-23-1. They boast three straight NFL South titles, three playoff game victories, and made it to one Super Bowl. Gettleman was named Executive of the Year in 2015, bringing the Panthers out of cap trouble, and turned scraps into diamonds. His ability to manage contracts, play hard-ball when he needed to, and find talent was unparalleled in comparison to any GM the Panthers have had in the past.

Gettleman did exactly what was expected of him when he was hired. He ditched those who hindered the Panthers future, and brought in talent that benefited the Panthers for long-term success.

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“You have to have confidence in what you’re doing and your evaluation skills,” Gettleman said in a 2016 interview we had. “There are times I knew I was going to make unpopular decisions and I couldn’t let that concern me. It’s all about the greater good.”

Now, it looks like he was fired for the very reason he was hired.

Being a GM in the league is hard enough. With owners wanting to interfere with personnel matters ever so often, GMs take the blunt of the scrutiny. Working in the parameters of what the team wants in conjunction with trying to build a successful roster is arguably one of the hardest jobs in the NFL. 

Dave Gettleman said it best when asked about his job:

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“My job is not for the faint of heart, OK?”

It really isn't. General Managers always have to make the tough decisions, whether it be player or personnel. They have to figure out who's expendable and who will benefit a team's long-term success. They'll either be the GM that gives out lucrative contracts to players and risk long-term success, or they'll be the ones thinking about the future and who aren't afraid of any backlash for doing so.

Dave Gettleman was the one thinking about our future. He's the kind of GM winning organizations covet - one who thinks about the future.

However, Jerry Richardson decided he didn't want any other that.

Jerry doesn't want a winning organization. He wants one where everyone in the building is "happy" and pacified with unnecessary lucrative contracts exceeding their production. As long as the team is happy and pacified right now, he doesn't care about what happens in the future and long-term.

When Richardson saw that Greg Olsen and Thomas Davis were speaking out about not getting an extension yet, he let his feelings get in the way. Of course, everyone knows that Olsen has two years left on his contract, and that Thomas Davis is in the twilight years of his career, but that never mattered.

Simply put, JR really disliked the idea of TD getting less snaps. It proved to be a major catalyst for his decision to fire Gettleman.

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Some brewing issues between Jerry and Gettleman...included diminished playing time for TD.

Shaq Thompson is an elite LB at this point in his career, and he deserves the extra playing time. Gettleman realized that, and encouraged the Panthers to go towards that direction. Realizing that this could potentially extend TD's career and keep two great LBs well rested, it seemed like the logical move to make.

Sadly, Jerry Richardson didn't like the idea of his favorite Panther getting less time. He decided to put his personal feelings first before the idea of winning and being a competent franchise.

Same deal with Olsen. He has two years left on his extension, and it was in the Panthers' best interest to keep his contract on hold. That doesn't mean that Gettleman would never get Olsen a much deserved raise, it simply means that the Panthers have more important matters to worry about for now.

Trai Turner, Andrew Norwell, and Star Lotulelei all need contracts by next year. Keeping Olsen's extension on hold and focusing on Trai's contract this year would've allowed all parties to be happy. With the Cap increasing next year, it's very likely we could've taken care of Trai (and maybe even TD) this year, then have enough left over to give to Olsen, Norwell, and possibly Star.

Unfortunately, Jerry Richardson doesn't appear to like that idea, and thus the firing.

From the beginning, JR's relationship with Gettleman was shaky at best. Even though Richardson hired Gettleman to be that cold-hearted ruthless GM in the first place, it just never settled well with him. 

Jon Beason explains it simply:

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"Knowing Big Cat, Jerry Richardson, the owner of the Panthers, he's a guy who will not be dictated to at all," said Beason.

"I know that when it comes to being general manger, he wants those guys to just go do their thing. But when he has to step in, at some point, there has to be a level of respect there on both parties. And it can't be, "Hey listen, I'm the GM. I'm running it this way. If you don't like it, let me go.'

Jerry Richardson wants the Panthers run his way. He wants to see his players get the lucrative contracts they beg for, and he doesn't seem to care whether the franchise is winning or not. As long as those "feel good stories" exist, Richardson is content to the very end.

A popular motto for the Panthers, "the fan is the most important part of the team." At first, it seemed that way. The Panthers changed when they hired Gettleman, and appeared as if they're looking towards the future. A dynasty was born, and the Panthers were ready to take on the NFL for years to come. 

They looked to bring the best product for their fans, and Gettleman is a huge reason for this shift.

However, firing Gettleman reveals that the fan is no longer a priority. Rather, their interests in themselves and feelings have gotten in the way of what could've been long-term success. Jerry Richardson no longer wanted that GM who would bring long-term success at the cost of a few "cold-blooded" cuts. He wants someone who'll be his yes man and ensure anyone he wants getting paid gets paid - even if their production doesn't warrant their contract.

Which brings me to my main point: No competent GM would even think about coming near this organization.

Jerry Richardson sent a message to the NFL when he fired Dave Gettleman, a man with a sparkling resume. It was a message that no legitimate NFL organization should ever send under any circumstances.

Simply put, the Panthers will cut you at any time if you go against what ownership wants. Even when you do your job down to the letter, even when you bring the franchise from a cap catastrophe to booming with money, even when the players you brought in brings you to three straight playoffs and a superbowl with mostly your own men, it doesn't matter.

No GM in their right mind would enter this job knowing that this franchise doesn't care about winning. They care about pacifying the players they like, even when their production/age doesn't warrant such. The only GMs that would even be attracted to this sort of job would be yes-men: the ones who do whatever ownership wants and barely put forth effort at anything else.

It's a very sad situation all the away around. It's very unlikely this organization will turn towards a good GM after this (if they do, I'll be very surprised), and place in their own little "puppet" to do their bidding.

If any GM comes to interview with JR, it's very likely it'll be the GM doing the interview. Most likely, they'll be ready to pester the owner with their own questions about their job security, and bolting when they realize how incompetent the Panthers ownership really is.

After all, JR believes in pacifying players rather than the future, winning, and fans. By firing Gettleman, his actions show he rejects the idea of running a dynasty at the cost of a few player's feelings, and that's just sad.

So, what does the future hold?

The Panthers have been beating the "evolve" mantra this off-season, and Gettleman took it to the house. By revamping the offense with some of college's biggest playmakers, and reinforcing key areas of the team in free agency, he did exactly what the Panthers hoped to do and more-so.

Yet, it doesn't appear the rest of the organization wants any part of that.

In fact, it looks like they want to go back to the dark ages rather than the future.

With the next Panthers GM likely being a "yes-man" who'll likely prioritize Olsen and TD's extensions first, it'll set a precedent for every play that the Front Office is now a pushover. Trai Turner, Andrew Norwell, and Star Lotulelei will realize this, and look to maximize the leverage that they know they now have. It's very unlikely that everyone will be resigned at this point.

Not only that, but Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly could look at the situation in a way that favors them. Seeing that the Panthers front office will no longer play hard ball, they'll look to get every dime they can. If they don't get it, they'll simply move on and find another team. 

Same with Shaq Thompson. Jerry Richardson just basically admitted he doesn't prioritize getting him much snaps even with his talent, and will prefer an aging TD over him. Shaq will take this issue to the house and bolt for a starting spot when given the chance. TD will likely be on his last year at that point, and we'll have no one to replace him.

This all could change if we get a competent GM, but that appears to be a fantasy. Jerry Richardson is the owner, and he has shown he doesn't care about winning anymore.

The Panthers have sacrificed their future, potential, and credibility with this one move. At this point, it's very unlikely anything good will come out of this.

Evolution? What a joke.

 

[Krovvy]

Spicy.

[Toker Smurf]

Eh. There are only 32 of these jobs. There is a good foundation in place. We will have the opportunity to hire some very good candidates. Whether we choose the right one or not is another story. 

[OneBadCat]

I like your threads. But I think this one maybe a bit kneejerk..

[Saca312]

Just now, Cam El said:

Eh. There are only 32 of these jobs. There is a good foundation in place. We will have the opportunity to hire some very good candidates. Whether we choose the right one or not is another story. 

The issue is the amount of players we could lose in the next 2-3 years. This is a very fragile foundation right now, and by 2020 we could be seeing 2010 levels bad.

If the players see the FO as a pushover, that's the end of any dynasty we could've ever hoped for.

[*FreeFua*]

11 hours ago, thebigcat said:

The team lost credibility today... No self respecting GM will want this job just to be a yes man 

Yeah because a GM who accuses a player of faking an injury is the type of GM every team wants!

You guys want to talk mistakes, look no further than Gettleman's draft history.

[MBronson]

Shaq Thompson is an Elite Linebacker?!??

[Saca312]

Just now, MBronson said:

Shaq Thompson is an Elite Linebacker?!??

At this point, he is. I watched his tape, and he's better than TD as of now.

He's very underrated. What he has shown on the field is something I'd call elite.

[raleigh-panther]

Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly are here

any GM would look at that and be thrilled 

[MikeD83]

6 minutes ago, thebigcat said:

The team lost credibility today... No self respecting GM will want this job just to be a yes man 

A GM job in the NFL is one of the most difficult to obtain positions in American professional sports. There are hundreds of men in front office positions in the NFL whose lifelong goal is to get one of those 32 jobs. Only a handful open each year. I don't like the timing either, but there will be no lack of quality candidates. Whether we pick a quality one is a whole other issue. 

[Toker Smurf]

1 minute ago, Saca312 said:

The issue is the amount of players we could lose in the next 2-3 years. This is a very fragile foundation right now, and by 2020 we could be seeing 2010 levels bad.

If the players see the FO as a pushover, that's the end of any dynasty we could've ever hoped for.

But that's always an issue. Like I said, do we choose the right candidate. The Patriots are never afraid to move on from guys and have turnover. We're not the Browns and the men who take these types of jobs have huge egos and think they can succeed where others (Gettleman) failed. I'm not happy about the move as I thought Gettleman was doing a good job, overall, with some obvious missteps. I'm just optimistic that we can find someone who can build on what he started. 

[Pejorative Miscreant]

I have convinced myself that DGs firing is much bigger than simply giving TD a gazillion dollars or leave ultimatum.  

We need to calm down and breathe people.  

[Shocker]

Sac you need to start a website, I'm here if u need tech help.  Awesome.

[panthers55]

15 minutes ago, thebigcat said:

The team lost credibility today... No self respecting GM will want this job just to be a yes man 

Any  GM who thinks he doesn't have to mirror the image and follow the desires of his owner will soon be an ex-GM. Go tell the admin of your facility it is your way or the highway and you will be looking for work too. Any GM worth his salt understands the reality of their job. Gettleman's ego and hubris got in his way. Richardson did what he had to do. He is the boss and ultimately makes the decisions. This is one of the most desirable places to work in the league.