6 best free-agent signings in Panthers franchise history

They’ve never been known as big spenders in free agency, but the Panthers have found some great value on the open market in the past.

With free agency inching closer, let’s take a fond look into the past.

Here are the six best free-agent signings in Carolina Panthers history:

Best photos from Super Bowl XXXVIII

38 photos from the Panthers’ trip to Super Bowl XXXVIII

One of the greatest Super Bowls in history took place 20 years ago. But unfortunately for the Carolina Panthers, it didn’t end with the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy.

As we get ready for the biggest game of the year, let’s look back at the best shots from Super Bowl XXXVIII:

Every Pro Bowl selection in Panthers franchise history

Let’s take a look back at every Pro Bowl selection in Panthers franchise history

It took a bit longer than it should’ve, but defensive tackle Derrick Brown rightfully became the latest Pro Bowler in Carolina Panthers history.

So, as we gear up for the rest of the festivities this weekend, let’s look back at Brown and every other Panther who has been selected as an all-star.

Best away photos from Panthers vs. Buccaneers rivalry

Let’s take a Tampa Bay-based trip down memory lane . . .

Before the Carolina Panthers try for their first win at Raymond James Stadium since 2019, let’s look back at some of the best Tampa Bay-based photos from this NFC South rivalry . . .

8 former Panthers named Modern-Era nominees for 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

Panthers great Julius Peppers, who is in his first year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, headlines the group of 173 Modern-Era nominees.

On Tuesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced 173 Modern-Era nominees for their class of 2024. Among the group are eight former Carolina Panthers players—including some franchise greats and a few all-time greats.

Here are those men:

Steve Smith Sr. names favorite, best Panthers QB he played with

Who was Steve Smith Sr.’s favorite QB from his time with the Panthers? And who was the best? Here are his answers:

For Carolina Panthers all-time leading receiver Steve Smith Sr., Jake Delhomme and Cam Newton were special to him in their own of ways.

Smith Sr. was joined by current Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson on a recent episode of his “Cut To It” podcast. The conversation, thanks to some intrigue from Shaq, ventured into which Carolina quarterback was Smitty’s favorite.

Here was his answer:

“I grew into an NFL wide receiver with Jake Delhomme. I lost and participated in a Super Bowl with Jake Delhomme. And most importantly, we grew together and got paid together . . . with Jake Delhomme. And I had, I believe, seven years with him.

“I’m not a person about brands. I’m loyal to people. And so, if I have a relationship in which our kids had birthday parties together—my kids had a birthday, his kids had a birthday party, our wives went to dinner together, we had events, we did things together for six, seven years and we got paid together.

“For me to say that Cam is my favorite [quarterback] when playing football with Cam for [three] years . . . I didn’t experience a Super Bowl with Cam. At the time, I was 30-something years old. I was in my 20s. So for me, it’s Jake Delhomme is my favorite quarterback because I also have the most tenure with Jake Delhomme.”

Delhomme and Smith Sr. played together from 2003 to 2009—a seven-year run that included an NFC championship, three Pro Bowl nods and a triple crown for the latter. So, it’s not surprising that Jake is Steve’s personal favorite.

He did, however, have his own distinction for Newton.

“Who’s the best quarterback I’ve ever played with on the Carolina Panthers? Has to be Cam. I’ve never seen a more athletic quarterback,” he added.

“With Cam, I’ve never seen a guy—6-foot-4, 6-foot-5, 230, 250 pounds—run right and throw across his body. Flick of the wrist like you’re pitchin’ quarters.”

Newton pitched quarters to Smith Sr. for three years. Between 2011 and 2013, he reeled in 216 balls for 3,313 yards and 15 scores from Cam.

Anyway, on a totally unrelated note, is anyone else hungry for some chicken and biscuits . . . ?

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WATCH: Panthers Hall of Honor members welcome Julius Peppers, Muhsin Muhammad

Julius Peppers and Muhsin Muhammad may have to wait for their official Hall of Honor inductions, but they got some warm welcomes from some its current members on Monday.

On Monday morning, the Carolina Panthers announced that a pair of franchise legends—former defensive end Julius Peppers and former wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad—will be joining their Hall of Honor later this year.

And even though they’ll have to wait for their official inductions, they didn’t have to wait for their warm welcomes.

In a 57-second video subsequently released by the team, Pep and Moose were greeted into the club by a handful of its current members. The welcoming committee included Jake Delhomme, Steve Smith Sr., Wesley Walls and Jordan Gross—four of the hall’s six honorees

Take a look:

Five of these six men—Peppers, Muhammad, Delhomme, Smith Sr. and Gross—were a part of the 2003 Panthers squad, which went on to capture the first NFC championship crown in franchise history. While they came up just short to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII, they’d all make their mark in Carolina lure that season.

And soon, on Oct. 29, all of their marks will be made across Bank of America Stadium.

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Who belongs on the Carolina Panthers’ Mount Rushmore?

Three cheers for the black, white and process blue! Here are our picks for which Panthers would occupy the franchise’s Mount Rushmore.

Happy Fourth of July, folks! Now, let’s celebrate the red, white and blue with a little black, white and process blue.

Here—based on which players have put forth the most productive, successful and impactful careers in franchise history—is our Mount Rushmore for the Carolina Panthers.

Panthers fans recall franchise’s most painful ‘what ifs’ on Twitter

Panthers fans were in their bag on Wednesday . . . if that bag was one big sorry sack of sad, sick and unsightly moments.

Carolina Panthers fans don’t root for the sorriest franchise in football, but you wouldn’t know that by their turnout on Wednesday.

The NFL on ESPN Twitter account posted a prompt for users, asking what they think is their team’s biggest “What if . . . ?” And, in what was a sad and impressive showing, the Panthers faithful responded with plenty of downers.

Here are just some of their most painful replies . . .

5 Panthers greats named Modern-era nominees for 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

Five Panthers greats were named as Modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2023 class.

Less than two months ago, we witnessed one of the greatest moments in Carolina Panthers franchise history—the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement of Sam Mills. So, will we be witnessing another next summer?

On Tuesday, 129 Modern-era nominees for Canton’s 2023 class were named, and among them are five Panthers greats.

Here they are: