The Carolina Panthers: A Comprehensive History

The Early Years: 1995-2001

The Carolina Panthers were founded in 1995 as an expansion team in the National Football Conference (NFC) of the National Football League (NFL). The team's first head coach was Dom Capers, and their first general manager was Bill Polian.

The Panthers struggled in their early years, posting a losing record in each of their first three seasons. However, the team began to turn things around in 1998 with the help of quarterback Steve Beuerlein and running back Tshimanga Biakabutuka.

The Jake Delhomme Era: 2003-2009

The Panthers reached the Super Bowl for the first time in 2003 with Jake Delhomme at quarterback. Delhomme led the Panthers to a 14-2 record in the regular season, and they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game.

The Panthers lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII, but Delhomme remained the team's starting quarterback for six more seasons. During that time, the Panthers made the playoffs four more times, but they were unable to return to the Super Bowl.

The Cam Newton Era: 2011-2019

The Panthers selected quarterback Cam Newton with the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Newton quickly became one of the most exciting players in the league, and he led the Panthers to a 12-4 record in his rookie season.

The Panthers won the NFC South in 2013 and 2015, and they reached the Super Bowl again in 2015. Newton threw for 403 yards and four touchdowns in the Super Bowl, but the Panthers lost to the Denver Broncos 24-10.

Recent Years: 2020-Present

The Panthers have struggled in recent years, posting a losing record in each of the past three seasons. The team fired head coach Matt Rhule in 2022, and they hired Frank Reich as his replacement.

The Panthers are hoping to return to the playoffs in 2023 with Reich at the helm. The team has a number of talented players, including quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Christian McCaffrey.