It’s been a couple of weeks since the news was reported that former Carolina Panthers GM Marty Hurney would be linking back up with Ron Rivera as the new Executive VP of Player Personnel, but we finally were officially introduced to the new front office member on Wednesday.
Hurney has a load of experience in the NFL, having spent almost two decades in the Panthers’ front office, working alongside Rivera as the GM for the latter half of the 2010s. Now he is coming to Washington after being let go last season, where he will serve as a high-ranking executive.
It was first reported that Hurney would become the new GM in Washington, while Martin Mayhew would hold a high-ranking executive role as well. We later learned that it would actually be Mayhew that would hold the GM title, while Hurney will be involved as a high-ranking executive in the front office. Both men have held numerous executive and general manager roles in the NFL before.
Here are some of the top quotes from Hurney’s introductory press conference:
Rivera announces Eric Stokes has been promoted to a senior personnel role. Joined the team's front office last season
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 3, 2021
New guys talk quarterbacks. Both very complimentary of Alex Smith. pic.twitter.com/pM7b3XiVhD
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) February 3, 2021
Marty Hurney: "Philosophically all three of us are on the same page … and Eric Stokes as well."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) February 3, 2021
Martin Mayhew on what attracted him to Washington: "I think we're on the cusp of something special."
Marty Hurney says it's a passionate owner who wants to win and provides the necessary resources. pic.twitter.com/3b5PoLzOAv
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) February 3, 2021
Martin Mayhew said the roles for him Hurney are "very loosely defined" and they will be collaborating with Ron Rivera.
Added Hurney: "The only thing that matters to us is to win games."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) February 3, 2021
Mayhew and Hurney talk broadly about the quarterbacks here, saying positive things about those here. Mayhew said the Senior Bowl excursion last week was just part of the puzzle as they explore options.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) February 3, 2021
Mayhew says he and Hurney will set the table for Ron Rivera to make final decisions.
Coach-centric folks.— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 3, 2021
Marty Hurney and Martin Mayhew said they're looking for the "right kind of guys" to continue the culture change in Washington,.
Said Hurney: "I think it takes a mix. … Ideally you have a veteran in each room to help groom those guys."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) February 3, 2021