The New York Giants are ready for a fresh start following an abysmal 2017 season marked by injuries and questionable personnel decisions.
Three weeks after firing head coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese, the team has filled the open GM position with Dave Gettleman.
Gettleman is an NFL veteran with 30 years of experience in the league. The 66-year-old spent 15 years as a personnel executive for the Giants and has four years of experience as a general manager for the Carolina Panthers, who he helped guide to the Super Bowl in 2015. Gettleman returns to the Giants as the team's fourth general manager since 1979, continuing their 40 year tradition of hiring GMs with experience inside the organization.
He helped lead the Panthers to a 40-23-1 record in his four years with the team, including three consecutive NFL South titles. Many were surprised when Gettleman was fired by the Panthers in July for what outlets like the New York Post chalk up to a "brusque management style" and burning bridges with former players like Josh Norman and DeAngelo Williams.
Hoping to stabilize the team after a chaotic season, Giants co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch believe Gettleman's years within the organization and experience as a GM make him a good fit.
"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," Mara and Tisch explain. "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."
Interim general manager Kevin Abrams also interviewed for the job, as well as Giants' vice president of player evaluation Marc Ross and ESPN analyst Marc Ross.
The Giants had reportedly planned to continue their interviews into the New Year, but they felt confident with Gettleman and made the decision early. The team has plans to officially introduce Gettleman during a news conference on Friday.
