Former Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman is back in the NFL and has a big task in front of him.
The two-win Giants announced Thursday they have hired Gettleman as the team's new GM.
Giants co-owner John Mara fired GM Jerry Reese, along with coach Ben McAdoo after the team dropped to 2-10 on the season with a loss to the Raiders. Mara said he wants to hire a new GM before bringing aboard a new coach.
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Gettleman to the Giants makes perfect sense – he worked for the organization under former Giants GM Ernie Accorsi for more than 10 years, and Accorsi, who is consulting with Mara during the hiring process, holds Gettleman in high regard, having recommended him for the Panthers job.
“Given where we are as a team, we thought it was important to bring in someone with experience as a general manager and a proven track record,” president John Mara and chairman Steve Tisch said in a statement. “Dave’s experience is unparalleled. He did an outstanding job as general manager in Carolina, and he was vital to our success during his tenure here. Dave is going to bring his own approach to our organization in how we draft and acquire players through free agency.”
Gettleman was hired by the Panthers in January 2013 and unexpectedly fired this past July despite Carolina going 40-23-1 in his four seasons with three consecutive NFC South titles. He'll have plenty of roster decisions ahead of him, including the future of Eli Apple, Eli Manning and the hiring of a new head coach.
Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio, Falcons assistant GM Scott Pioli (the son-in-law of legendary Giants coach Bill Parcells), Packers director of football operations Eliot Wolf, Seahawks co-director of player personnel Scott Fitterer and Vikings assistant GM George Paton were mentioned as possibilities for the job.