Panthers part ways with GM Marty Hurney

The Carolina Panthers have parted ways with general manager Marty Hurney after four seasons, they announced Monday.

Hurney's contract initially ran through June 2021. The longtime executive was on his second stint as Panthers GM, having previously filled the role from 2002-2012.

As Carolina prepares for a second straight offseason with significant roster changes, owner David Tepper and Hurney met to discuss the future structure of the team's football operations. The two had different ideas.

"I think sometimes you just need a restart, a refresh," Tepper said in a statement. "We did it last year on the coaching side. Maybe you could say it should have been done before on the GM side. Maybe it should have been. I'm sure people may say that, or otherwise, on both sides.

"I think it's just time, on both sides, to do that. It just seems like the right time to move forward."

Hurney re-joined the Panthers in 2017 following Dave Gettleman's firing. However, the team has struggled to the tune of a 16-30 record over the last three years.

Despite the subpar record, his recent draft standouts include D.J. Moore, Brian Burns, and Jeremy Chinn.

Hurney will be a candidate to join the Washington Football Team if the franchise opens up its general manager position alongside former Panthers coach Ron Rivera, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.

Carolina will begin the search for his replacement immediately and involve head coach Matt Rhule in the hiring process.

The Panthers are the fifth NFL team to create a GM vacancy this season, joining the Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, and Detroit Lions.