David Tepper has remodeled his franchise more than any owner in the NFL this offseason. From overhauling the roster and the coaching staff to tearing down the former owner’s statue, almost everything about the Panthers organization has changed in 2020.
One man who seems impervious to the earthquakes going on around him is general manager Marty Hurney. For what it’s worth, Tepper has never publicly wavered in his esteem for his GM. Not everyone shares Tepper’s confidence in Hurney, though.
According to ESPN’s annual future power rankings, Carolina’s front office is only ranked No. 27 compared to the competition. The team also ranked low (No. 25) in the Draft category.
Some analysts believe that’s a bridge too far, though. For example, Patrick Daugherty at Rotowold has Hurney ranked No. 20 in the league going into the 2020 season. That ranking might seem generous compared to ESPN’s, but Daugherty doesn’t seem to think he’ll last.
“The rebuild from Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly may not be as painful as expected. Operating at the owner’s pleasure even more than most general managers, Hurney has nothing to lose as his second go-around as Panthers personnel boss winds down.”
What stings most about these particular rankings is that former Carolina exec and current Bills GM Brandon Beane earned a well-deserved spot in the top 10.
Hurney’s strong record with first-rounders affords him enough respect not to be ranked among the folks running the perpetually-dysfunctional Lions and Jets. Those picks won’t save his job forever, though. During his two terms as GM the Panthers have a record below .500. Tepper may not tolerate that for much longer.
Let’s vote. Where would you rank Hurney among today’s GMs?
