It sounds like the New York Giants are closing in on a new general manager, and it’s someone who has ties to the organization.
Hours after firing Jerry Reese and Ben McAdoo last week, New York Giants principal owner John Mara said the Giants would have a new general manager in place well before the draft.
Shortly thereafter, Mara hired former Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi to assist him hiring the next general manager.
It seems as that they have narrowed their search as all signs point to that former Carolina Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman has become the front-runner.
The 66-year-old Gettleman was the Panthers general manager from 2013 until July of this year. He built the team that went 15-1 in 2015 and made it to Super Bowl 50. Before that, he spent 15 years in the Giants’ front office as a pro personnel director.
After Super Bowl 50, Gettleman was unable to reach a long-term deal with Pro Bowl cornerback Josh Norman and rescinded the Panthers franchise offer to Norman, making him a free agent. That was the beginning of the end of his time in Carolina.
Despite botching the Norman negotiation, and having a fall out with receiver Steve Smith, Gettleman has a solid track record having been involved with the NFL for 31 years.
Speaking of Smith, the retired receiver wasn’t happy to hear Gettleman’s name come up as the front-runner for the job during Ian Rapoport‘s appearance on NFL Network’s NFL GameDay, on which he is a panelist.
From @NFLGameDay: When you're talking about the job #Giants GM favorite Dave Gettleman did with the #Panthers… and @89SteveSmith jumps in ??? pic.twitter.com/iFTlaaKZcO
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 10, 2017
The Giants have always liked to promote from within the organization because it fits their mantra of ‘Once A Giant, Always A Giant.’ Both Accorsi and Reese had roles with the Giants prior to becoming the team’s general manager.
What also makes Gettleman the ideal fit is during his time with the Giants, he became close and personal friends with Accorsi, who he worked for until 2007.
A decision to name Gettleman as the next Giants general manager could be made before the end of the season.
If he gets the job he will have a tall task ahead of him as he will need to restore credibility to a franchise that only has two wins and has had inner turmoil all season long.
His most important decision will be what to do with the best quarterback in franchise history, Eli Manning, who will turn 37 in January.
