A familiar name is in the running to be the Carolina Panthers’ new general manager … but not as familiar as you might think.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Monday that the Panthers have requested permission to interview Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant general manager Mike Greenberg. Carolina needs a new GM after firing Scott Fitterer, who had served in the position since 2021.
The news led to everyone making the same joke on X (formerly known as Twitter) — that Carolina was interviewing Mike Greenberg the ESPN host.
ESPN Mike Greenberg right now pic.twitter.com/hJPFZwUnKd
— BetMGM(@BetMGM) January 8, 2024
He was great on ESPN Radio
— The System (@tealtalk) January 8, 2024
?? https://t.co/i4SuHi0smD pic.twitter.com/f1wlnLL6fj
— cristian (@Cristianspfc_) January 8, 2024
Is Greenie still going to host Get Up? 🤪 https://t.co/jA2D9OdFcY
— James Stewart ☝️ (@IAmJamesStewart) January 8, 2024
The executive Greenberg is (very obviously) a different guy though. He has (presumably) never worked professionally with any Golics and cares more about the Buccaneers’ success rather than the New York Jets’ success.
Tampa Bay’s Greenberg does have a very strong resume overall. He is known as a salary cap and budgeting expert who has been with the Bucs since 2010, including for their Super Bowl LV title. Additionally, he was responsible for negotiating new contracts for everyone from Chris Godwin and Vita Vea to Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, according to the team’s official website.
The Panthers, who finished the season at an NFL-worst 2-15 and don’t even get the No. 1 overall pick in the draft for their troubles, have a lot to figure out this offseason. In addition to potentially hiring a GM with the same name as the ESPN guy, they may be locked in on one prominent head coaching candidate.
