Carolina Panthers: 30 greatest players in franchise history
87. . Quarterback. 1996-2000. Steve Beuerlein. 30. player
The first of the Panthers’ “long-term” starting quarterbacks, Steve Beuerlein held his own during his days as the man under center in Charlotte. A career journeyman, he managed to hold down the gig for four seasons with Carolina.
It’s all the more impressive that he was able to find a home with the Panthers after spending his first seven NFL seasons with five different teams. A fourth-round pick of the then-Los Angeles Raiders, Beuerlein couldn’t establish himself until he took his talents to Carolina.
When he did though, he put together some outstanding efforts as the Panthers’ starter. The cream of the crop was his 1999 campaign. He threw for a league-high 4,436 yards while also racking up 36 touchdowns compared to only 15 interceptions. For an average-at-best talent like Beuerlein, it was quite the feat.
That’s why he finds himself even on this list. Apart from that Pro Bowl season, Beuerlein’s NFL career was largely unimpressive. Still, he held the job down when the Panthers were just getting started in the league and wasn’t a complete mess under center. That deserves some respect.