What imminent end of NFL investigation means for Panthers GM candidate Marty Hurney

The Carolina Panthers may soon be able to make a decision regarding their vacant general manager position.

A source told the Observer on Thursday that the NFL’s investigation into interim general manager Marty Hurney could wrap up soon. The source said that if Hurney is cleared by the league, he will remain a candidate for the GM position.

Hurney, hired in an interim role last summer after the firing of former GM Dave Gettleman, was considered the front-runner for the position before the investigation.

The Panthers placed Hurney on administrative leave on Feb. 5, three days after his ex-wife, Jeanne Hurney, requested a temporary restraining order while alleging that Marty Hurney had harassed her.

A district judge denied the request, saying he saw no evidence of domestic violence, and Jeanne Hurney withdrew the complaint.

NFL investigator Lisa Friel was in Charlotte last week to speak to Marty Hurney and others.

The Panthers also interviewed GM candidate Lake Dawson, the assistant college scouting director for the Buffalo Bills, a second time last week. Before the investigation, they had also interviewed San Francisco 49ers personnel executive Martin Mayhew and Houston Texans assistant general manager Jimmy Raye II.

The team would like to have a permanent general manager in place soon, with free agency and the NFL Scouting Combine rapidly approaching.

This story was originally published February 15, 2018 at 11:39 AM with the headline "What imminent end of NFL investigation means for Panthers GM candidate Marty Hurney."