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Scott Fowler: If the Panthers have a plan for how they will rebuild, they're not saying what it is

Source: Charlotte Observer / Getty

The Carolina Panthers decided to part ways with general manager Marty Hurney, per an announcement by team owner David Tepper on Monday.

“You look at successful organizations, and there’s a certain alignment between the head coach and the GM,” Tepper said on a Zoom call with the media. “To think that you can do that without some sort of alignment is nuts. So to not have a head coach with some input into that is stupid. I don’t want to be stupid.”

Herney, 65, oversaw duties as the team’s GM since 2017. He was with Panthers organization since 1998 and played a major role in helping to build two Super Bowl runs in 2003 with coach John Fox and under then general manager Dave Gettleman in 2015.

The Panthers (4-10) will begin the process of reconstruction going into the offseason with a projected top-five pick in next April’s NFL Draft. Tepper was not happy with the team’s 2020 season, despite COVID-19 concerns and star running back Christian McCaffrey missing a majority of the season.

“This team could easily have another four wins,” Tepper said. He went on to say, “If you win four of those games, you’re in a totally different position right now with this young team. So looking at next year, I’m very hopeful where we will be and what we will do.”

Tepper also said he has a plan in place if the organization doesn’t find a general manager before next year’s NFL Draft.

Carolina heads to Washington to face former coach Ron Rivera for the first time since his dismissal last season. A Sunday afternoon match-up at FedEx Field with no fans in attendance at 1 p.m. ET (Radio: WBT).