A look at where the players that represented the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 are now.
It’s been four years and 11 months since the Carolina Panthers were defeated by the Denver Broncos 24-10 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. At times, it feels like a lifetime ago that they were in the playoffs, let alone their last appearance in the Super Bowl.
The front office and coaching staff have undergone a complete facelift since February 2016. Carolina Panthers’ Jerry Richardson sold the team to Pittsburgh Steelers minority owner David Tepper in 2018, which resulted from the fallout from the 2017 Sports Illustrated report that disgraced the team founder and owner at the time.
This report stated that at least four former Panthers’ employees have received “significant” monetary settlements due to inappropriate workplace comments and conduct by Richardson, including sexually suggestive language and behavior, and on at least one occasion directing a racial slur at an African-American scout employed by the team.
Danny Morrison resigned from his position as team president and general manager Dave Gettleman was let go in 2017, with the latter going on to become the GM of the New York Giants.
Head coach Ron Rivera was fired with four games left during the 2019 season. The well-respected figure was 79–67–1 with four playoff appearances during nine years with the team, with both stats ranking first all-time in team history.
Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott was hired as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills in 2017 and has been responsible for a huge turnaround in their fortunes. They secured the AFC East division title in 2020 and the team’s first playoff victory since the Panthers expansion season in 1995.
Of the 53 men active for Super Bowl 50, only four remain on the current Panthers’ roster, 15 players are currently on another NFL roster, and 34 are no longer active in the league.
Let’s take a look at where players are that contributed to the magical run that was the 2015 season.
Tre Boston – Carolina Panthers S
Tre Boston signed with the then-San Diego Chargers after finishing the 2016 season with the Carolina Panthers. He spent one season with the Chargers before moving on to the Arizona Cardinals.
The safety returned to the Panthers in 2019 and impressed during his first year back with the team. Boston signed a three-year, $18 million contract extension with Carolina last year and finished the 2020 campaign with 95 tackles (three for loss), one interception, four passes defended, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and one sack, appearing in and starting all 16 games.
JJ Jansen – Carolina Panthers LS
Long-snapper JJ Jansen is the longest-tenured Panther player (12 seasons, 2009-present). He was the only member of the Panthers to receive an All-Pro vote and is hoping for an extension from the organization this offseason if he doesn’t call it a day.
Kawann Short – Carolina Panthers DT
Kawann Short has only played five games in the last two seasons. The two-time Pro Bowler could become a cap casualty in the coming weeks, with the defensive tackle due to count $20.83 million against Carolina’s salary-cap in 2021.
Shaq Thompson – Carolina Panthers OLB
Shaq Thompson signed a four-year, $54.2 million contract extension with the Panthers in 2019 and finished this season with 112 tackles (six tackles for loss), two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and five passes defended, appearing in 16 games (starting 15).
The outside linebacker is set for a huge pay rise next time around, which could see his status with the franchise in doubt.
Mario Addison – DE
Mario Addison was not re-signed by the Carolina Panthers following the 2019 season. He signed a three-year contract with the Buffalo Bills during free agency and has made a big impact during his first year with the team.
Devin Funchess – WR
Devin Funchess struggled to become the Panthers’ No. 1 wide receiver during the 2018 season, thus the team did not attempt to re-sign him. He ended up agreeing to a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts but suffered a broken collarbone after only one game.
Funchess signed with the Green Bay Packers for the 2020 season but opted out due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Graham Gano – K
Graham last played for the Panthers during the 2019 season. He was released by the organization shortly after he was medically cleared to come back and performed well for the New York Giants in 2020.
AJ Klein – LB
AJ Klein signed a three-year contract with the New Orleans Saints after the 2016 season. The linebacker is now a member of the Buffalo Bills after joining up with plenty of former teammates last spring.
Star Lotulelei – DT
Star Lotululei last played for the Panthers during the 2017 season. He signed a five-year contract with the Buffalo Bills in 2018 but decided to opt-out of the current season due to COVID-19 health concerns.
Dean Marlowe – S
Dean Marlowe moved on from the Panthers in 2016. He is currently a member of the Bills after being signed to the active roster in 2018.
David Mayo – LB
David Mayo is currently a member of the New York Giants after moving on from the Panthers in 2018. He featured in 11 games this season and started twice.
Cam Newton – QB
Cam Newton was released by the Panthers following two injury-plagued seasons. He signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots and started 15 games, compiling 2,657 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, along with 592 rushing yards and 12 scores on the ground.
The Patriots are not expected to re-sign Newton for the 2021 season.
Josh Norman – CB
Josh Norman became an unrestricted free agent after the Panthers rescinded their franchise tag offer in 2016. He signed a five-year contract with the Washington Football Team during this free agency period before his release prior to the 2020 campaign.
Norman signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills the following month.
Andrew Norwell – OG
Andrew Norwell continued to excel at left guard for the Panthers during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. He was named a first-team All-Pro during this time and was ranked as the third-best guard in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.
Norwell signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a free agent in 2018 and continues to perform at a high standard.
Greg Olsen – TE
Carolina released Greg Olsen last year after a prolific stint with the franchise. He signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks and maybe heading for retirement following their playoff defeat to the Los Angeles Rams last weekend.
Mike Remmers – OT
With Michael Oher unable to play because of a concussion, Mike Remmers took over at left tackle during Week 4 of the 2016 season. He signed a five-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings on in 2017 and was released two years later.
Remmers spent the 2019 season with the New York Giants and the current season with the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Trai Turner – OG
The Carolina Panthers traded Trai Turner to the Los Angeles Chargers for Russell Okung prior to the season. He was a five-time Pro Bowler during his time with the team and has been sorely missed on the interior this season.
Joe Webb – QB
Joe Webb moved on from the Panthers in 2017. He is currently a backup quarterback for the New York Giants.
Daryl Williams – OT
Daryl Williams was last seen on the field for Carolina during the 2019 season. He signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills in 2020 to join the hoard of former Panthers currently playing for the team.
Jared Allen – DE
Following Super Bowl 50, Jared Allen announced his retirement after an incredible career that finished with 136 sacks. He was recently named as a finalist for the 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
Derek Anderson – QB
Derek Anderson was not re-signed by the Carolina Panthers following the 2017 season. He spent the 2018 and 2019 campaigns with the Buffalo Bills before announcing his retirement.
Cameron Artis-Payne – RB
The Panthers cut ties with Cameron Artis-Payne in 2019. He last played for the Dallas Renegades of the XFL before its season suspended operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brenton Bersin – WR
Brenton Bersin last played in the league for the Panthers during the 2017 season. He was released shortly after and hasn’t been given another chance elsewhere.
Philly Brown – WR
Philly Brown was not retained by Carolina following the 2016 season. He was never active in another NFL game following his time with the Panthers, although he did spend time with the Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos.
Jerricho Cotchery – WR
Following Super Bowl 50, Jerricho Cotchery did not sign with another NFL team, which saw the wide receiver become the latest in a long line that failed to reach expectations coming into the league.
Kurt Coleman – LB
Kurt Coleman last played for the Panthers during the 2017 season. The linebacker signed a three-year contract with the New Orleans Saints in 2018 and was released the following year.
Coleman last played during the 2019 campaign with the Bills.
Thomas Davis – LB
Thomas Davis declared that the 2018 NFL season would be his last. After being suspended for the first four games due to violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, the linebacker began to waver on his decision.
Davis then stated that he would continue to play but the team informed him that they were moving in another direction at the position. The 2014 Walter Payton Man of the Year spent the 2019 season with the Los Angles Chargers before joining the Washington Football Team, reuniting with former Panthers’ head coach Ron Rivera.
He announced prior to Week 17 that he would retire, for good this time.
Ryan Delaire – DE
Ryan Delaire was waived by the Panthers in 2017. He last played for the San Francisco 49ers during the 2018 season.
Ed Dickson – TE
The Panthers did not re-sign Ed Dickson during the 2017 free agency period. He signed a three-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks but was released prior to free agency last year.
Kony Ealy – DE
Kony Ealy started just six games for the Carolina Panthers in 2016 and was traded to the New England Patriots along with a third-round draft pick in the 2017 NFL Draft for a second-round selection.
Ealy was waived by the Patriots before the season, before spending time with the Jets and Cowboys, and Raiders. The defensive end also turned out for the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL during the 2020 season.
Dwan Edwards – DT
Dwan Edwards’ last NFL game was Super Bowl 50 as a member of the Panthers.
Cortland Finnegan – CB
Cortland Finnegan is another who last played in Super Bowl 50. The Panthers did not re-sign him, and after the defensive back failed to make the Saints’ roster during training camp, he hasn’t been seen again.
Ted Ginn Jr. – WR
Ted Ginn Jr. signed a three-year contract with the Saints following the 2016 season. The speedy wideout spent time with the Chicago Bears in 2020 before being released in November.
Roman Harper – S
Roman Harper returned to the Saints, where he played from 2006-2013 prior to joining the Panthers, on a one-year deal; his last in the NFL.
Ben Jacobs – LB
Following the 2018 season, Ron Rivera personally asked Ben Jacobs if he would consider making the transition to coaching for the team; he agreed. The former linebacker is currently the assistant special teams’ coach for Rivera with the Washington Football Team.
Charles Johnson – DE
Charles Johnson was released by the Carolina Panthers in March following the Super Bowl but was re-signed five days later. He spent two more years with the team before being moved on for a second time after the 2017 season.
Johnson announced his retirement from the NFL before the 2018 campaign began.
Colin Jones – S
The Panthers released Colin Jones at his request following the 2019 season as he was seeking an opportunity with a team that was not rebuilding. No team has signed Jones following his release.
Ryan Kalil – C
Ryan Kalil announced his retirement from the NFL in 2018 but returned to spend one year with the New York Jets the following year. He was placed on the reserve/injured list and hasn’t been around since.
Luke Kuechly – LB
Luke Kuechly dropped his retirement bombshell on January 14, 2020, a day Carolina’s fans won’t forget in a hurry. The 2013 Defensive Player of the Year finished his career as a five-time First-Team All-Pro, a two-time Second-Team All-Pro, a seven-time Pro Bowler, and two-time NFL tackles leader.
Kuechly currently serves as a pro scout for the Panthers, who were wise to keep the legendary figure around in some capacity.
Kyle Love – DT
Kyle Love last played for the Panthers during the 2019 season. He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their 2020 training camp but didn’t make their roster.
Robert McClain – CB
Robert McClain was shipped out by the Panthers in 2016 and was claimed off waivers by the then-San Diego Chargers. He last played in the NFL during the 2017 season with the Buccaneers.
Brad Nortman – P
Brad Nortman signed a four-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars following Super Bowl 50. He was released after the team drafted a punter during the 2018 NFL Draft.
Kevin Norwood – WR
Kevin Norwood was waived in 2016. He last spent time with the New York Giants during the 2017 season and was released with an injury settlement later that year.
Michael Oher – OT
Following Super Bowl 50, Michael Oher signed a three-year contract extension with the Panthers but was moved on in 2017 following a failed physical due to concussion problems.
Chris Scott – OT
Chris Scott was released by the Panthers in 2017. The lineman spent time with the Giants during training camp in 2018 but didn’t do enough to make the team.
Scott Simonson – TE
Scott Simonson was last with the Panthers during the 2017 season. He was not active for a game having being been put on the reserve/injured list prior to the season.
Simonson signed with the Giants in 2018 and wasn’t brought back after for the 2020 campaign.
Jonathan Stewart – RB
Jonathan Stewart’s incredible career with the Panthers came to an end with his release in 2018. After 10 seasons, he left as the franchise leader in rushing yards.
Stewart signed a two-year contract with the Giants, who subsequently declined the option on his deal the following year. The running back signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Carolina Panthers on April 23, 2019.
Mike Tolbert – FB
Mike Tolbert was released by Carolina following the 2016 campaign. The physical full-back signed with the Bills but lasted just one year in Buffalo and has not played in the league since.
Fernando Velasco – OG
Fernando Velasco was not retained by the Panthers following the Super Bowl. He was with the Bills during training camp in 2016 but was unable to secure a place on their active roster.
Brandon Wegher – RB
Brandon Wegher was waived by the Panthers after failing to make the 53-man squad ahead of the 2016 season. He spent that year on the then-St. Louis Rams’ practice squad.
Fozzy Whittaker – RB
Fozzy Whitaker signed a two-year contract extension in 2017. He suffered a season-ending ACL injury in May 2018 that ended his career.
Teddy Williams – CB
Teddy Williams was released by the Panthers in 2018. Like many before and since he signed with the Giants but then requested his release due to personal reasons.
Lou Young – CB
Lou Young last played for the Panthers during the 2016 season. He participated at training camp in 2018 with the Arizona Cardinals, which was the last time we saw him in the league.
Young also failed to make the Atlanta Legends team in the now-defunct Alliance of American Football League.
Kelvin Benjamin – WR
Kelvin Benjamin tore his ACL in practice ending his 2015 season and a shot at contributing during the Super Bowl. The Carolina Panthers traded the wide receiver to the Buffalo Bills for 2018 third and seventh-round draft picks.
He last played three games with the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2018 season. Benjamin had all the tools to be a success but never quite lived up to his billing.
Bené Benwikere – CB
Bené Benwikere was released by the Panthers after their defense allowed 300 receiving yards to Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones during Week 4 of the 2016 campaign.
Following his release, he spent time with the Dolphins, Packers, Bengals, Cowboys, Cardinals, Raiders, and Vikings. Benwikere hasn’t been seen in the league since 2019.
Amini Silatolu – OT
Following the Super Bowl, Amini Silatolu signed with the Chicago Bears on a one-year deal. But he was released prior to the start of the 2016 season.
Silatolu returned to the Panthers in 2017, last playing with the team during In 2018 before being placed on injured reserve during the final stages of the campaign.
4 Panthers players who could be sacrificed to land Deshaun Watson
Which Carolina Panthers players could potentially be sacrificed if they want to try and secure a bombshell trade for Deshaun Watson this offseason?
Charles Tillman – CB
Charles Tillman suffered a torn ACL during the 2015 regular-season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and missed the playoffs, which was a bitter blow to the player and the organization. He was unable to recover from the injury and announced his retirement on July 18, 2016.