Gettleman's career in the NFL began in the late 1980s when he joined the Buffalo Bills as a scouting intern. His keen eye for talent and understanding of the game quickly became apparent, and he worked his way up through various scouting and personnel roles. Over the years, Gettleman served with different teams, including the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, and the New York Giants, where he was a part of the staff that built the roster for the Giants' Super Bowl victories in 2007 and 2011.
In 2013, Gettleman took on one of the most challenging roles in football management when he was named the general manager of the Carolina Panthers. During his tenure with the Panthers, Gettleman was recognized for his ability to manage the salary cap effectively and for making tough personnel decisions that would benefit the long-term success of the team. He was instrumental in assembling a roster that led the Panthers to an NFC Championship and a Super Bowl appearance in 2015. Under his leadership, the Panthers won three consecutive NFC South titles from 2013 to 2015.
Gettleman's approach to team-building emphasized strong defensive units and a power running game, which became hallmarks of the Panthers during his time with the organization. He also made several notable draft picks, including star defensive tackle Kawann Short and offensive guard Trai Turner. However, his tenure with the Panthers was not without controversy, as some of his decisions, such as the rescinding of cornerback Josh Norman's franchise tag, were met with criticism.
In 2018, Gettleman returned to the New York Giants, this time as the team's general manager. His second stint with the Giants was aimed at rebuilding a team that had struggled in the preceding years. Gettleman's tenure with the Giants was marked by a series of high-profile draft selections, including running back Saquon Barkley with the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and quarterback Daniel Jones with the sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
While Gettleman's draft choices and free-agent signings were intended to set the foundation for the Giants' future success, the team's performance during his tenure was mixed, and he faced criticism for some of his decisions, including the trade of star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns. Despite the challenges, Gettleman remained focused on his vision for the team, emphasizing the importance of building through the draft and maintaining financial flexibility.
Throughout his career, Dave Gettleman has been a polarizing figure, admired by some for his straightforward approach and criticized by others for his sometimes unconventional decisions. His impact on the teams he has managed, particularly the Carolina Panthers, will be remembered for the competitive squads he helped assemble and the legacy of players who thrived under his watch.
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