With a new era upcoming for the Panthers, it’s time to look back on those who’ve come before and paved the way for the 2023 Panthers.
Top Ten Carolina Panthers of All-Time
10. Jon Beason
Drafted in 2007, Beason played for Carolina for seven years and became a leader on the Panthers defense. Beason totaled 572 tackles in his Panthers career. In his first four years, he totaled at least 120 tackles per season and led the NFL in solo tackles with 110 in 2008. Beason also earned three Pro Bowls and First Team All-Pro in 2008.
Unfortunately, his career was cut short due to injuries, starting in 2011 with a torn achilles. Beason went on to play for the New York Giants in 2013 but was never the same player after 2011. “I think I got cut short, but I wouldn’t change it,” Beason said.
9. Jordan Gross
His 11-year NFL career began and ended in Carolina as Gross became a model of consistency for the franchise. Gross started at tackle for 167 games, the most starts of any player in Panthers history. He also was a three-time Pro Bowler and earned First Team All-Pro in 2008. He was then inducted into the Panthers Hall of Honor in 2019.
8. Greg Olsen
Starting his career with the Chicago Bears, Olsen was traded to Carolina in 2011. After Steve Smith was let go, Olsen became the top receiving option for Cam Newton. Olsen was Mr. Reliable for Carolina as the tight end eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards from 2014-16. During that stretch, he was also a three-time Pro Bowler. Olsen finished his nine-year career in Carolina with 524 receptions, 6,463 receiving yards and 39 touchdowns.
7. Jake Delhomme
In his first year with Carolina, Delhomme quarterbacked his offense to the Panthers first Super Bowl appearance in 2003. Delhomme had a playoff run to remember with 987 passing yards and six touchdowns. The Panthers would go on another playoff run in 2005 as Delhomme earned his only Pro Bowl selection as Carolina came up short in the NFC Championship.
Delhomme’s stats weren’t eye-popping throughout his career, as it wasn’t head coach John Fox’s style. It was his leadership and perseverance as he was an undrafted quarterback. In his seven years with Carolina, Delhomme had a 53-37 record and is a part of the Panthers Hall of Honor.
6. Thomas Davis
Drafted by Carolina in 2005, Davis started his career slow as he suffered three ACL tears. He continued to show resilience and shined during the back half of his career. During that time, Davis and Luke Kuechly became the best linebacker duo in the NFL.
From 2012-16, Davis totaled at least 100 tackles each season. Davis was selected to three Pro Bowls from 2015-17 and was First Team All-Pro in 2015. The most important award in his career was the Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2014. He spent 13 years in Carolina and made an impact on and off the field. Finishing his Panther career with 1,098 total tackles.
5. Sam Mills
Mills began his career with the New Orleans Saints and would join Carolina in his 10th year for the Panthers inaugural season in 1995. In 1996, Mills earned First Team All-Pro and became a Pro Bowler for the fifth time in his career. During his three-year stretch in Carolina, Mills started every game and was inducted into the Panthers Hall of Honor in 1998.
Mills later became an assistant coach for the Panthers for seven seasons. It was during that time that he was diagnosed with cancer in 2003. He continued to coach as he was treated with chemotherapy and radiation. During the 2003 playoff run, Mills instilled the mantra “Keep Pounding” with a speech before playing the Dallas Cowboys. He continued to coach until he died from cancer complications in 2005.
The legacy Mills left from his playing and coaching career is still felt in Carolina today. The words “Keep Pounding” on each Panthers jersey are on the inside collar and a statue outside Bank of America Stadium. Mills was recently inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022.
4. Luke Kuechly
Drafted in 2012, Kuechly became the anchor of the Panthers defense from 2012-19. He played with little to no weaknesses as he was a 7-time Pro Bowler and 5-time First Team All-Pro. Kuechly led the league in total tackles in 2012 and 2014 while also winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.
The only thing that slowed Kuechly was concussions, as he suffered three and was likely a significant reason he retired early in 2019. He’ll always be remembered for the high-flying linebacker that he was, as he covered the ground like no other. This combined with being one of the most intelligent players as he was indeed the quarterback of the Panthers defense. In his 8-year career, Kuechly amassed 1092 total tackles, 75 tackles for loss, 66 pass deflections and 18 interceptions.
3. Cam Newton
Drafted with the No. 1 pick in 2011, Newton immediately came into the league as a difference maker and leader in Carolina. From 2011-19, he was the maestro of the Panthers offense as he energized the entire fanbase, whether it was the fun that he brought the game or his playstyle of bulldozing through defenses because of his 6’5, 245 lbs frame.
In his rookie year, Newton threw for 21 touchdowns while also rushing for 14 touchdowns, earning him a Pro Bowl nod. As the years went on, Newton progressed as a passer while continuing to exploit defenses with his legs. This led to the 15-1 2015 season, where Newton threw for 35 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns, earning him MVP and appearing in the Super Bowl.
The hits began to build up as his career went on, and the injuries came with it. After the 2015 season, Newton only played one entire season. The first half of his career will always be remembered as he made football fun across the Carolinas. Through the air, Newton had 29,725 passing yards and 186 touchdowns. On the ground, he had 5,036 rushing yards and 63 touchdowns. Newton remains the only Panthers to win the MVP award.
2. Steve Smith
Smith arrived in Carolina in 2001 as a 5’9 wide receiver mainly used as a kickoff and punt return specialist. He became so much more than that very quickly, as Smith had 1,110 receiving yards in 2003. It was in 2005 when Smith led the league in receptions (103), receiving yards (1,563) and touchdowns (12).
After 2005, Smith was a model of consistency in breaking the 1,000-yard margin in the next three years. Once Delhomme was no longer a Panther, Smith’s stats dropped until Newton became his quarterback in 2011. At 32, Smith had a 1,394-yard and 7-touchdown season, earning him a Pro Bowl nod.
In his 13 years in Carolina, Smith amassed 836 receptions, 12,197 yards and 67 touchdowns. Those numbers made him a 5-time Pro Bowler and 2-time First Team All-Pro.
1. Julius Peppers
A true Carolina kid as Peppers played collegiate football and basketball at North Carolina. He was drafted at No. 2 to the Panthers in 2002 as the defensive end had a 6’7, 295 lb frame. Peppers immediately made a difference in his rookie year with 12 sacks and 11 tackles for loss, earning him DROY.
Peppers was a model of consistency as he eclipsed 10+ sacks for six years in his first 8-year stint in Carolina. During that time, Peppers became a 5-time Pro Bowler and 2-time First Team All-Pro. In 2006, Peppers led the league in tackles for loss with 18 while also having a 13-sack season.
After 2009, Peppers played for the Bears and Green Bay Packers and earned four more Pro Bowl nods as he had 62.5 sacks in sevens years with those teams. In 2017, Peppers returned to Carolina at 37 and had an 11-sack season. Peppers continued to play for the Panthers until retiring as a Panther in 2018 at 38 years old. In his 10 years with the Panthers, Peppers had 97 sacks, 34 forced fumbles, 441 total tackles, and 107 tackles for loss.
Main Photo: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
