An aerial view of Bank of America stadium during a football game.
Bank of America Stadium (formerly Ericsson Stadium) has served as the home stadium of the Carolina Panthers in all but the team's inaugural season.

The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football club based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) South divsion. The Panthers were founded in 1993, when they joined the NFL as an expansion team. The team home field and headquarters is Bank of America Stadium in Uptown Charlotte. The Panthers are supported throughout the Carolinas;[1] although the team has played its home games in Charlotte since 1996, they played they home games at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina during its first season in 1995.[2] In the 29 seasons the team has played, it has a record of 223–260–1 (a winning percentage of .474), with two Super Bowl appearances, six division titles, and eight playoff appearances.[3]

The Carolina Panthers inaugural season was in 1995, where team played as members of the NFC West division. Dom Capers was the franchise's first head coach. In their first season, they recorded a record of 7–9, the best record for an expansion team in NFL history.[4] In their second season, they won the NFC West and reached the NFC Championship game, where they lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers; Capers won the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year Award. The Panthers would fail to reach the playoffs in 1997, and in 1998, Capers was fired after a 4–12 finish.[5] George Seifert was hired to replace him as head coach, but failed to reach the playoffs in any of his three seasons. His final season as head coach was in 2001, when the Panthers finished with a league-worst 1–15 record.[6] John Fox was hired as head coach in 2002. In his nine seasons as head coach, the Panthers made the playoffs three times and won two NFC South division titles (in 2003 and 2008). They reached Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2003, the NFC Championship game in 2005, and the Divisional round in 2008.[3]

Fox was not retained as head coach following a 2–14 finish in 2010,[7] and was succeeded by Ron Rivera. Rivera's tenure as head coach was the most successful in team history.[8] The Panthers reached the playoffs four times under Rivera, and won three straight division titles from 2013 to 2015. In 2015, the Panthers recorded their most successful regular season, finishing with a league-best 15–1 record; quarterback Cam Newton received MVP and Offensive Player of the Year honors.[9][10] However, the team lost Super Bowl 50 24-10 to the Denver Broncos.[11][12] The team last recorded a playoff appearance in 2017, when they recorded an 11–5 record but lost to the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card round. Since then, the team has failed to record a winning season and has fired three head coaches (Rivera in 2019, Matt Rhule in 2022, and Frank Reich in 2023). In their most recent season, the team finished with a league-worst 2–15 record.[13]

Seasons

Key
Conference champions # Division champions † Wild Card berth ^
Carolina Panthers records by season
Season Team League Conference Division Regular season Postseason results Awards Head coach Refs.
Finish W L T
1995 1995 NFL NFC West 4th 7 9 0 Dom Capers [3]
1996 1996 NFL NFC West † 1st † 12 4 0 Won Divisional playoffs (Cowboys) 26–17
Lost NFC Championship (at Packers) 13–30 		Dom Capers (COTYTooltip NFL Coach of the Year Award) [14][15]
1997 1997 NFL NFC West 2nd 7 9 0 [3]
1998 1998 NFL NFC West 4th 4 12 0 [3]
1999 1999 NFL NFC West 2nd 8 8 0 George Seifert [3]
2000 2000 NFL NFC West 3rd 7 9 0 [3]
2001 2001 NFL NFC West 5th 1 15 0 [3]
2002 2002 NFL NFC South[a] 4th 7 9 0 Julius Peppers (DROTYTooltip National Football League Rookie of the Year Award) John Fox [3][17]
2003 2003 NFL NFC # South † 1st † 11 5 0 Won Wild Card playoffs (Cowboys) 29–10
Won Divisional playoffs (at Rams) 29–23 (2OT)
Won NFC Championship (at Eagles) 14–3
Lost Super Bowl XXXVIII (vs. Patriots) 29–32 		[18]
2004 2004 NFL NFC South 3rd 7 9 0 [3]
2005 2005 NFL NFC South 2nd ^ 11 5 0 Won Wild Card playoffs (at Giants) 23–0
Won Divisional playoffs (at Bears) 29–21
Lost NFC Championship (at Seahawks) 14–34 		Steve Smith (CPTOYTooltip National Football League Comeback Player of the Year Award) [19][20]
2006 2006 NFL NFC South 2nd 8 8 0 [3]
2007 2007 NFL NFC South 2nd 7 9 0 [3]
2008 2008 NFL NFC South † 1st † 12 4 0 Lost Divisional playoffs (Cardinals) 13–33 [21]
2009 2009 NFL NFC South 3rd 8 8 0 [3]
2010 2010 NFL NFC South 4th 2 14 0 [3]
2011 2011 NFL NFC South 3rd 6 10 0 Cam Newton (OROTYTooltip National Football League Rookie of the Year Award) Ron Rivera [3][22]
2012 2012 NFL NFC South 2nd 7 9 0 Luke Kuechly (DROTYTooltip National Football League Rookie of the Year Award) [3][17]
2013 2013 NFL NFC South † 1st † 12 4 0 Lost Divisional playoffs (49ers) 10–23 Luke Kuechly (DPOTYTooltip AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award)
Ron Rivera (COTYTooltip National Football League Coach of the Year Award)[23] 		[15][24][25]
2014 2014 NFL NFC South † 1st † 7 8 1 Won Wild Card playoffs (Cardinals) 27–16
Lost Divisional playoffs (at Seahawks) 17–31 		Thomas Davis (WPMOTYTooltip Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award) [26][27]
2015 2015 NFL NFC # South † 1st † 15 1 0 Won Divisional playoffs (Seahawks) 31–24
Won NFC Championship (Cardinals) 49–15
Lost Super Bowl 50 (vs. Broncos) 10–24 		Cam Newton (MVPTooltip National Football League Most Valuable Player Award, OPOTYTooltip AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award)
Ron Rivera (COTY) 		[15][28][29][30]
2016 2016 NFL NFC South 4th 6 10 0 [3]
2017 2017 NFL NFC South 2nd ^ 11 5 0 Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Saints) 26–31 [31]
2018 2018 NFL NFC South 3rd 7 9 0 [3]
2019 2019[b] NFL NFC South 4th 5 11 0 Ron Rivera (5–7)[c]
Perry Fewell (0–4)[c] 		[32]
2020 2020 NFL NFC South 3rd 5 11 0 Matt Rhule [3]
2021[d] 2021 NFL NFC South 4th 5 12 0 [3]
2022 2022[e] NFL NFC South 2nd 7 10 0 Matt Rhule (1–4)[c]
Steve Wilks (6–6)[c] 		[33]
2023 2023[f] NFL NFC South 4th 2 15 0 Frank Reich (1–10)[c]
Chris Tabor (1–5)[c] 		[34]
Totals 214 252 1 All-time regular season record (1995–2023)
9 8 — All-time postseason record (1995–2023)
223 260 1 All-time regular & postseason record (1995–2023)

Notes

  1. ^ Following the 2002 NFL realignment, the Panthers were moved to the NFC South division.[16]
  2. ^ Ron Rivera was fired as head coach midseason, and Perry Fewell was named interim coach for the remainder of the season.[32]
  3. ^ a b c d e f Indicates the coach's record (Wins–Losses).
  4. ^ The NFL increased the length of a season from 16 to 17 games.[3]
  5. ^ Matt Rhule was fired as head coach midseason, and Steve Wilks was named interim coach for the remainder of the season.[33]
  6. ^ Frank Reich was fired as head coach midseason, and Chris Tabor was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season.[34]

References

  1. ^ Breech, John (January 24, 2016). "LOOK: Panthers' #OneCarolina hashtag has taken over social media". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on October 13, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  2. ^ "Team Chronology" (PDF). 2023 Carolina Panthers Media Guide (PDF). NFL Enterprises, LLC. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "Carolina Panthers Team Records, Leaders, and League Ranks". Pro-Football -Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  4. ^ Swan, Gary (September 19, 1996). "Carolina's Davis Has His Hands Full Again / Former 49ers corner renews duel with Rice". San Francisco Chronicle. OCLC 137344428. Archived from the original on January 11, 2014. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  5. ^ "Panthers let Capers go after dismal 4–12 season". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. December 28, 1998. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  6. ^ "Panthers fire head coach Seifert after 1–15 season". Sports Illustrated. January 2, 2002. Archived from the original on February 3, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  7. ^ Odum, Charles (January 3, 2011). "Falcons beat Panthers 31–10, win home-field edge". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on December 4, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  8. ^ Zietlow, Alex (January 9, 2024). "Ron Rivera, best coach in Carolina Panthers history, fired from Washington Commanders". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  9. ^ "Cam Newton Named NFL MVP". Carolina Panthers. February 6, 2016. Archived from the original on October 29, 2022. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  10. ^ Jones, Jonathan (February 7, 2016). "Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is Named NFL MVP; he thanks the doubters". The Charlotte Observer. Archived from the original on January 18, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  11. ^ Felt, Hunter (February 8, 2016). "Super Bowl 50 was billed as Newton v Manning – but the defenses tore up the script". The Guardian. Archived from the original on December 10, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  12. ^ Renck, Troy E. (February 7, 2016). "Von Miller, defense carry Broncos to Super Bowl victory". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  13. ^ Walsh, Erin (January 9, 2024). "NFL Rumors: Execs Urge Panthers' David Tepper to Make Hires 'and Get out of the Way'". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  14. ^ "1996 Carolina Panthers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  15. ^ a b c "AP Coach of the Year Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  16. ^ "New alignment takes effect in 2002". ESPN. Associated Press. May 22, 2001. Archived from the original on February 3, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  17. ^ a b "AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  18. ^ "2003 Carolina Panthers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  19. ^ "2005 Carolina Panthers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  20. ^ "AP Comeback Player of the Year Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  21. ^ "2008 Carolina Panthers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  22. ^ "AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  23. ^ "'NFL Honors' complete list of winners". NFL.com. February 1, 2014. Archived from the original on February 19, 2014. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  24. ^ "2013 Carolina Panthers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  25. ^ "AP Defensive Player of the Year Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  26. ^ "2014 Carolina Panthers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  27. ^ "Walter Payton Man of the Year Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2021-03-08. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  28. ^ "2015 Carolina Panthers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  29. ^ "AP NFL Most Valuable Player Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  30. ^ "AP Offensive Player of the Year Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  31. ^ "2017 Carolina Panthers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  32. ^ a b "2019 Carolina Panthers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  33. ^ a b "2022 Carolina Panthers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 6, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  34. ^ a b "2023 Carolina Panthers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.

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