CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers fired general manager Dave Gettleman on Monday, eight days before the team reports to training camp.

Owner Jerry Richardson said in a statement he made the decision after a long evaluation of the team’s football operations.

“I want to thank Dave for the role he played in our success over the past four seasons,” Richardson said. “While the timing of this decision is not ideal, a change is needed.”

Gettleman had been Carolina’s general manager for four seasons, when the Panthers went 43-26-1. But Carolina was 6-10 last season a year after reaching Super Bowl 50, where it lost to Denver.