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For most coaches who see GM fired and new hired, that’s a bad sign. For Panthers coach Matt Roulette, that’s a positive development.
A league source explained to him PFT, the firing of Panthers GM Marty Herni means that Rule will essentially run the show in Carolina, once the dust settles on the recruitment of the new GM.
It can be done as a matter of course, or it can be made more official. The new GM may report to Rule; The new GM owner can report to David Tapper. Regardless, the new GM will not be someone who comes up with a short list of coaching hires of choice and waits for his time until it is time to get Rule out and hire someone else.
This makes Rule a key player in the search for a new GM, and it gives Rule plenty of power to move forward.
That should come as no surprise. The turning point that Tapper made to Rule in early 2020 says it all. Rule will not have to worry about firing new GM coaches. And the new GM will definitely not get a job without Rule’s contract.
However the Panthers can technically finalize a new GM on a draft or roster (even if the rule actually calls it that), any arrangement that gives the GM with those powers. Who currently has a contract with another team.
Teams have periodically tried to spoil the spirit of the rule by making a connection between contract and reality for GM, and that rarely becomes an issue. Tapper, who annoys other owners by paying so much money to an anti-level coach, may decide to push the envelope to get the GM he wants.
