The Carolina Panthers have had some exceptional players throughout their short history, but what players should be on their Mount Rushmore?
When one examines just how many superb players the Carolina Panthers have been fortunate enough to have in their history, it really is a whos-who of exceptionally gifted individuals who are sure to go down in franchise folklore.
Even though none of them were able to get the Carolina Panthers over the hump with an elusive Super Bowl. There are so many figures whose contributions will stand the test of time.
In this expected period of transition for the current roster. It is always nice to look back on better days and some of the players that came with it. The Panthers’ high-quality drafts over the years have contributed significantly to some of the more legendary figures that have passed through the locker room. Which is something the front office can be enormously proud of.
Whether the current batch of college recruits will live up to high expectations of those that came before them remains to be seen. New head coach Matt Rhule has gambled big on athleticism and versatility with his historic selections. But this is going to come with some struggles as they find their feet on the job during a difficult looking 2020 schedule.
Although the Panthers organization is in its relative infancy compared to other NFL teams. They have still had some players that will go down in history as some of the best ever.
With that being said, which players deserve to be on the Carolina Panthers’ Mount Rushmore.
Steve Smith Sr.
There is little disputing the influence Steve Smith Sr. had with the Carolina Panthers. The wide receiver transformed himself from a mid-round pick into one of the primary players at the position during his time with the franchise.
Smith’s fiery competitiveness and ability to make others around him better were standout traits of his game. He is one of the few players than can look back and say they left everything on the field every time he stepped between the lines.
Although the player was diminutive compared to others operating at the position, Smith used that as another motivation to prove people wrong and become a sure-fire Hall of Famer in the not-too-distant future.
The Panthers are still looking for a wideout that could match what Smith gave them. They might have found someone with the same sort of hand quality in D.J. Moore. But whether he can provide that rare ability to get fans out of their seats every time he touches the ball is another matter.
Smith’s 2005 season is one that will live long in the memory. He formed a prolific partnership with quarterback Cam Newton and ended up leading the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
This also inevitably won Smith the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year, a first-team All-Pro selection, and a trip to the Pro Bowl. Sadly for the Panthers, their tilt at a Super Bowl fell short when the receiver was on the roster. But it does not take away from the monumental impact he made on the organization.
Luke Kuechly
The Carolina Panthers were dealt a significant blow this offseason when legendary linebacker Luke Kuechly announced his shock retirement due to health concerns. This ends an eight-year spell that ended with the heavy-hitter widely regarded as one of the team’s greatest ever players.
Kuechly was a first-round pick and lived up to his billing from the off. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year after setting the NFL alight, which was swiftly followed by Defensive Player of the Year in just his second season as a professional.
The player quickly became the inspirational leader on defense thanks to his tireless style of play that dragged the team to the cusp of a Super Bowl. While it might have been the right decision for Kuechly to call it a day and avoid further complications down the line. His lack of presence on the roster in 2020 cannot be underestimated.
The legendary figure can look back at his career with absolutely no regrets. He was named No. 10 on Pro Football Focus’ top-101 players of the 2010s and was recently named to the NFL’s All-Decade team of the 2010s.
Kuechly made five first-team All-Pro rosters during his eight seasons in the NFL. He also made second-team All-Pro twice, which is a distinction he earned once again last season.
There is little disputing that Kuechly is more than capable of playing at an elite level for years to come. Health was the overriding factor in his decision to prematurely retire and he is part of a growing number of top-level players who are walking away from the game once they become financially secure.
Kuechly’s time with the Carolina Panthers can be summed up in three words; captain, leader, legend.
Julius Peppers
Few players came into the NFL with a bigger reputation than defensive end Julius Peppers. He was the Carolina Panthers’ first-round pick back in 2002 and instantly change the fortunes of their defense.
This is a trend that continued throughout his first spell in Carolina. Pepper quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s most ferocious pass-rushers thanks to his rare blend of speed, power and agility.
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There was nothing he couldn’t do getting to the quarterback. The player also possessed a ruthless streak that is hard to find and this further enhanced his overall influence on the Panthers.
Although Peppers did have a spell away from the franchise in the NFC North with the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. It seemed fitting that the player ended his career in a Panthers’ uniform before eventually calling it a day.
When one thinks of the greatest ever Carolina Panthers players, then Peppers is one of the first names that come to mind. He was an inspirational figure throughout his time with the organization and the team was a lot worse off when he moved on to pastures new.
Peppers finished his career with three first-team All-Pro selections, nine Pro Bowls, in addition to being named NFL All-Decade in both the 2000s and 2010s.
This is down in no small part to his jaw-dropping career stats that included 715 tackles, 159.5 sacks, 79 pass deflections, 11 interceptions, 51 forced fumbles, and 11 touchdowns.
Cam Newton
Although the Carolina Panthers and quarterback Cam Newton parted ways in messy circumstances this offseason. There is little disputing the fact that the player deserves a spot on this list.
The No. 1 overall pick out of Auburn was everything the Panthers expected and more. He changed the landscape of the organization with a style of play that has not been seen in the NFL before or since.
Newton possessed the sort of electrifying skill set that made him a must-watch player from the outset. This came with a deserved NFL MVP Award in 2015 as he led the team to a Super Bowl appearance.
The Panthers fell short in the showcase, something Newton took a lot of heat for despite dragging the team to an NFC Championship triumph. It was a sign of the player’s character that continued to set the standard for dual-threat signal-callers in the league before injuries slowly took their toll.
Things are still pretty heated between the Panthers, Newton, and a fanbase that is left wondering why the new regime did not give him a chance to get back to his old self. But once the dust settles he will be remembered as a generational talent that almost single-handedly put Carolina on the map.
If Newton returns to full health in 2020, then another NFL team is going to have a real player on their hands. He will also have the added motivation of being released by a franchise that he called home for almost a decade, so providing he is healthy and in the right situation then there is every chance he can still finish his standout career on a high.