Which former Carolina Panthers players should be Pro Football Hall of Famers before wide receiver Julian Edelman, who announced his retirement this week?
Julian Edelman caused quite a stir when he officially retired from the NFL following a fantastic career with the New England Patriots. The wide receiver emerged from a seventh-round afterthought to one of the most dependable slot weapons in recent memory, with his ability to come through in the biggest moments during the postseason coming with three Super Bowl rings during his time with the franchise.
Father time waits for no man – unless your name is Tom Brady. Edelman has endured some significant injury problems over the last couple of seasons that eventually saw him call it a day earlier this week, but his legacy in New England will live on through the ages.
While this status is already secured, the debate as to whether Edelman should be a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame somewhere down the line has fractured the NFL community. This is reserved for only the truly elite who’ve made a lasting contribution, so whether the wideout falls into this category remains to be seen.
As Skip Bayless put it on Undisputed recently: “If I have to think twice about whether someone should be in the Hall of Fame, it’s a no.”
There are more professionals more deserving, of that there is little doubt. Even if they don’t have the silverware to show for it.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at four former Carolina Panthers players that should be Hall of Famers before Edelman.
Sam Mills – Former Carolina Panthers LB
Few would argue that Sam Mills is not deserving of the Pro Football Hall of Fame at this juncture. The inspirational figure helped change the landscape of the Carolina Panthers both on and off the field, with the “Keep Pounding” mantra coming from the linebacker’s determination to overcome even the toughest of adversities – something that is still inspiring current players to this day.
Mills was largely written off coming out of college as an undersized defender that wouldn’t be able to have a big impact once he got to the next level. It didn’t take long for the player to smash this stereotype, marshaling the Panthers’ defense that made a lasting impression during their first few seasons following their inception.
The five-time Pro Bowler reached the 100 tackle milestone eight times during his career, which is a testament to his high football IQ and high motor. Mills had a real gift for inspiring others around him, something that made a smooth transition to Carolina’s coaching staff for seven seasons in an assistant role.
He kept coaching despite receiving treatment for intestinal cancer, before eventually losing his brave fight in 2005 aged 45. Mills was a finalist for the Hall of Fame this year and there won’t be a dry eye in the house when he finally receives his posthumous induction.
Julius Peppers – Former Carolina Panthers DE
There are few defensive ends in NFL history that boast the credentials Julius Peppers managed to accumulate. He lived up to his billing and more when the Carolina Panthers selected him No. 2 overall in the 2002 NFL Draft, playing 17 seasons in the league and accumulating 159.5 sacks during this span.
Peppers was physically imposing and matched this with explosiveness that made him almost impossible to guard when firing on all cylinders. The three-time All-Pro might have spent some time away from Carolina after joining the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers before rejoining the Panthers to end his career, but his legacy with the organization is something that will be hard for anyone to replicate.
His level of production and the fact Peppers was drafted out of North Carolina made him a fan favorite in no time at all. He was selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Teams in the 2000s and 2010s, made nine trips to the Pro Bowl, and was the league’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2002.
There is a good case to be made for Pepper being a first-ballot Hall of Famer as one of the game’s great pass-rushers. Although he does not have a Super Bowl ring to show from a phenomenal career, to say he has a far better case than Julian Edelman would be a massive understatement.
Steve Smith – Former Carolina Panthers WR
This year sees someone who was a cultural icon for the Carolina Panthers become officially eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Steve Smith is more than deserving after a sensational career that resulted in two All-Pro selections and five Pro Bowl appearances, so there is every likelihood this will come with a first-ballot induction despite the level of quality also waiting in the wings for their place in Canton.
Much like Julian Edelman, Smith overcame some significant obstacles to carve out a prominent NFL career. The wide receiver was largely written off coming out of Utah for being undersized before the Panthers eventually took a chance on him, and this is something the player himself did not forget in a hurry if his efforts on the field were any indication.
Smith was one of the toughest competitors we’ve ever seen on the field. He left everything out there on almost every play and although his trash talking was also elite, this was always backed up by exceptional production.
Although things ended sourly between Smith and the Panthers, he was inducted into the team’s Hall of Honor in recognition of his exceptional commitment to the organization over a 13-year period. Smith gained 12,197 receiving yards and 67 touchdowns from 838 receptions during his time in Carolina and although he gets first shot over Edelman, he would have first priority if they’d both retired at the same time.
Luke Kuechly – Former Carolina Panthers LB
There will never be another Luke Kuechly where the Carolina Panthers are concerned. The legendary linebacker was the heart and soul of the organization from a defensive standpoint before announcing his shock retirement once the 2019 campaign came to a conclusion, which rocked the franchise to its core.
Kuechly walked away from the right reasons and he is still playing a substantial role behind the scenes in his role as a pro scout. But to say his presence was sorely missed at the second level in 2020 would be the biggest of understatements.
The former Boston College standout wasted no time in making his presence felt at the next level. Kuechly won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in consecutive seasons to start his career, which ended with five All-Pro selections and seven Pro Bowl trips in eight years.
Kuechly’s intelligence to determine which plays were happening even before the snap, which proved highly frustrating for opposing quarterbacks but benefitted the Panthers enormously. This wasn’t enough to give the Panthers an elusive first Super Bowl triumph despite going close, but his spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame should be assured once it’s time for the linebacker to enter consideration.
Julian Edelman may have the rings. But Kuechly is one of the league’s greatest-ever players at the position.