Editing Carolina Panthers (section)

==== John Fox years (2002–2010) ====
[[File:Jake Delhomme in 2006.jpg|thumb|[[Jake Delhomme]] with the Panthers in 2006. Delhomme led the Panthers to three postseason appearances and an appearance in [[Super Bowl XXXVIII]].]]
[[File:Panthers WR Steve Smith sits.jpg|thumb|[[Steve Smith Sr.|Steve Smith]] played [[wide receiver]] for the Panthers from 2001 to 2013. In 2005, Smith led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.]]
[[File:Pro Football Hall of Fame (37923671265).jpg|thumb|[[Julius Peppers]] #90 jersey in the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]. Peppers played [[defensive end]] for the Panthers from 2002 to 2009 and later again from 2017 to 2018.]]
After the NFL's expansion to 32 teams in 2002, the Panthers were relocated from the NFC West to the newly created NFC South division.<ref name="Seattle moved to NFC in approved realignment plan">{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/news/2001/05/22/banks_realign/|title=Seattle moved to NFC in approved realignment plan|last=Banks|first=Don|date=May 22, 2001|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=September 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010608113824/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/news/2001/05/22/banks_realign|archive-date=June 8, 2001|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Panthers' rivalries with the Falcons and Saints were maintained, and they would be joined by the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]].<ref name="u551">{{cite web  | title=When the NFL added two divisions -- and weakened the AFC West | website=NBC Sports | date=May 22, 2014 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/when-the-nfl-added-two-divisions-and-weakened-the-afc-west | access-date=August 4, 2024}}</ref> The Panthers had the second overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. The team selected future Hall of Fame defensive end Julius Peppers out of North Carolina.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 Carolina Panthers Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/car/2002_draft.htm |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> [[New York Giants]] defensive coordinator [[John Fox (American football)|John Fox]] was hired to replace Seifert<ref name="Carolina hires Fox as new head coach">{{cite web|url=http://onlineathens.com/stories/012602/spo_0126020027.shtml|title=Carolina hires Fox as new head coach|last=Fryer|first=Jenna|date=January 26, 2002|work=[[Athens Banner-Herald]]|access-date=January 29, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730042229/http://onlineathens.com/stories/012602/spo_0126020027.shtml|archive-date=July 30, 2013}}</ref> and led the team to a {{Win–loss record|w=7|l=9}} finish in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 Carolina Panthers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/car/2002.htm |access-date=August 4, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Although the team's defense gave up very few yards, ranking the second-best in the NFL in yards conceded, they were hindered by an offense that ranked as the second-worst in the league in yards gained.<ref name="Carolina Panthers">{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1029603/index.htm|title=Carolina Panthers|last=Chadiha|first=Jeffri|date=September 1, 2003|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=January 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327234952/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1029603/index.htm|archive-date=March 27, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Prior to the 2003 season, the team signed quarterback Jake Delhomme.<ref name="j781">{{cite web | last=Fryer | first=Jenna | title=Panthers sign QB Delhomme | website=Chicago Tribune | date=2003-03-05 | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/03/05/panthers-sign-qb-delhomme/ | access-date=2024-09-02}}</ref> The Panthers improved to {{Win–loss record|w=11|l=5}} in the [[2003 Carolina Panthers season|2003 regular season]], winning the NFC South.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.gastongazette.com/sports/20160906/carolina-panthers-year-by-year-history-of-franchises-21-years-in-charlotte |title=Carolina Panthers year-by-year: A history of the franchise's 21 years in Charlotte |last=Walker |first=Richard |date=September 6, 2016 |newspaper=[[The Gaston Gazette]] |access-date=December 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210063318/https://www.gastongazette.com/sports/20160906/carolina-panthers-year-by-year-history-of-franchises-21-years-in-charlotte |archive-date=December 10, 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The Panthers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 29–10 in the Wild Card Round, the St. Louis Rams 29–23 in the Divisional Round, and the Philadelphia Eagles 14–3 in the NFC Championship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers - January 3rd, 2004 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200401030car.htm |access-date=August 4, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Carolina Panthers at St. Louis Rams - January 10th, 2004 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200401100ram.htm |access-date=August 4, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles - January 18th, 2004 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200401180phi.htm |access-date=August 4, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> They advanced to [[Super Bowl XXXVIII]] before losing to the [[New England Patriots]], 32–29.<ref name="g914">{{cite web | last=Farmer | first=Sam | title=He's Leader of the Pats | website=Los Angeles Times | date=August 22, 2004 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-aug-22-sp-brady22-story.html | access-date=August 4, 2024}}</ref> The game was immediately hailed by sportswriter [[Peter King (sportswriter)|Peter King]] as the "Greatest Super Bowl of all time". King felt the game "was a wonderful championship battle, full of everything that makes football dramatic, draining, enervating, maddening, fantastic, exciting" and praised, among other things, the unpredictability, coaching, and conclusion.<ref name="What more could you want?">{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/peter_king/02/02/mmqb/|title=What more could you want?|author=[[Peter King (sportswriter)|King, Peter]]|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=January 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040405000120/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/peter_king/02/02/mmqb/|archive-date=April 5, 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref> The game is still viewed as one of the best Super Bowls of all time,<ref name="Top Ten Super Bowls: Super Bowl XXXVIII">{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-top-ten/09000d5d81def26e/Top-Ten-Super-Bowls-Super-Bowl-XXXVIII|title=Top Ten Super Bowls: Super Bowl XXXVIII|date=January 27, 2011|work=[[National Football League|NFL.com]]|access-date=August 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703044700/http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-top-ten/09000d5d81def26e/Top-Ten-Super-Bowls-Super-Bowl-XXXVIII|archive-date=July 3, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Top 10 best Super Bowl games">{{cite web|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/lists/Top_10_Best_Super_Bowl_games#photo-title=Super+Bowl+XXXVIII+-+Patriots+32%252C+Panthers+29&photo=22596290|title=Top 10 best Super Bowl games|date=January 22, 2012|publisher=[[Foxsports.com#MSN|Fox Sports on MSN]]|access-date=August 28, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911095124/http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/lists/Top_10_Best_Super_Bowl_games#photo-title=Super+Bowl+XXXVIII+-+Patriots+32%252C+Panthers+29&photo=22596290|archive-date=September 11, 2013}}</ref><ref name="What Was The Best Super Bowl Ever? Ranking All 47 Games According To Watchability">{{cite web|url=http://deadspin.com/5981692/what-was-the-best-super-bowl-ever-ranking-all-47-games-according-to-watchability|title=What Was The Best Super Bowl Ever? Ranking All 47 Games According To Watchability|last=Fischer-Baum|first=Reuben|date=February 6, 2013|publisher=[[Deadspin]]|access-date=August 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901210710/http://deadspin.com/5981692/what-was-the-best-super-bowl-ever-ranking-all-47-games-according-to-watchability|archive-date=September 1, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Grading all 45 Super Bowls">{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/richard_rothschild/01/30/grading.past.super.bowls/index.html|title=Grading all 45 Super Bowls|last=Rothschild|first=Richard|date=January 30, 2012|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=August 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204180132/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/richard_rothschild/01/30/grading.past.super.bowls/index.html|archive-date=December 4, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> and in the opinion of Charlotte-based [[NPR]] reporter Scott Jagow, the Panthers' Super Bowl appearance represented the arrival of Charlotte onto the national scene.<ref name="Carolina Panther's 'Wine and Cheese' Fans">{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1624211|title=Carolina Panther's &#91;sic&#93; 'Wine and Cheese' Fans|date=January 29, 2004|publisher=[[NPR]]|access-date=January 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328041205/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1624211|archive-date=March 28, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following a {{Win–loss record|w=1|l=7}} start in 2004, the Panthers rebounded to win six of their last seven games despite losing 14 players for the season due to injury.<ref name="u924">{{cite news | last=Fryer | first=Jenna | title=Panthers Remain on the Prowl | newspaper=Washington Post | date=2004-12-13 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2004/12/13/panthers-remain-on-the-prowl/f2e7c2e7-a944-4a73-bd58-1131ab23587d/ | access-date=2024-09-01}}</ref> They lost their last game to [[New Orleans Saints|New Orleans]], finishing the [[2004 Carolina Panthers season|2004 season]] at {{Win–loss record|w=7|l=9}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 Carolina Panthers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/car/2004.htm |access-date=August 4, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Had they won the game, the Panthers would have made the playoffs.<ref name="New Orleans and Carolina Battle as if There's No Tomorrow">{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C05E0DE1239F930A35752C0A9639C8B63|title=Pro Football; New Orleans and Carolina Battle as if There's No Tomorrow, and There Isn't|last=Bernstein|first=Viv|date=January 3, 2005|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219135024/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C05E0DE1239F930A35752C0A9639C8B63|archive-date=February 19, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The team improved to {{Win–loss record|w=11|l=5}} in [[2005 Carolina Panthers season|2005]], finishing second in the division behind Tampa Bay and clinching a playoff berth as a [[Wild card (sports)|wild card]].<ref name="Panthers clinch berth, expend little effort vs. Falcons">{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2006 |title=Panthers clinch berth, expend little effort vs. Falcons |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=260101001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023142223/http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=260101001 |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |access-date=January 29, 2013 |website=[[ESPN.com]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> In the first round of the playoffs, the Panthers went on the road to face the New York Giants, beating them 23–0 for the NFL's first playoff [[shutout]] against a home team since 1980.<ref name="Wanna go for a [wild] ride?">{{Cite web |last=Bayless |first=Skip |author-link=Skip Bayless |title=Wanna go for a [wild] ride? |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=bayless/060109 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728234151/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=bayless%2F060109 |archive-date=July 28, 2013 |access-date=January 29, 2013 |website=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref> The following week, they beat [[Chicago Bears|Chicago]] 29–21 on the road, but lost key players [[Julius Peppers]], a [[defensive end]], and [[DeShaun Foster]], a [[running back]], who were both injured during the game.<ref name="The Seahawks are far from super">{{Cite web |last=Bayless |first=Skip |author-link=Skip Bayless |title=The Seahawks are far from super |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=bayless/060120 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728053033/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=bayless%2F060120 |archive-date=July 28, 2013 |access-date=January 29, 2013 |website=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref> The Panthers were then defeated 34–14 by the [[Seattle Seahawks]] in the NFC Championship Game, ending their season.<ref name="Seahawks smash Panthers, clinch first Super Bowl in team history">{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=260122026|title=Seahawks smash Panthers, clinch first Super Bowl in team history|date=January 22, 2006|work=ESPN.com|access-date=January 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115102920/http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=260122026|archive-date=January 15, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Although the Panthers went into the [[2006 Carolina Panthers season|2006 season]] as favorites to win the NFC South and the free agent signing of [[Keyshawn Johnson]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2382797|title=Keyshawn signs four-year deal with Panthers|date=March 24, 2006|website=[[ESPN]]|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=October 26, 2022}}</ref> they finished with a disappointing {{Win–loss record|w=8|l=8}} record.<ref name="Playoff-bound Saints rest key starters in loss to Panthers">{{Cite web |title=Playoff-bound Saints rest key starters in loss to Panthers |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=261231018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911035218/http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=261231018 |archive-date=September 11, 2012 |access-date=January 29, 2013 |website=[[ESPN.com]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> The team finished the [[2007 Carolina Panthers season|2007 season]] with a {{Win–loss record|w=7|l=9}} record after losing [[quarterback]] [[Jake Delhomme]] early in the season due to an elbow injury.<ref name="Delhomme sees silver lining in long rehab from elbow injury">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=yasinskas_pat&id=3240463|title=Delhomme sees silver lining in long rehab from elbow injury|last=Yasinskas|first=Pat|work=ESPN.com|date=February 11, 2008 |access-date=January 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728234727/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=yasinskas_pat&id=3240463|archive-date=July 28, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

In [[2008 Carolina Panthers season|2008]], the Panthers rebounded with a {{Win–loss record|w=12|l=4}} regular season record, winning the NFC South and securing a first round [[Bye (sports)|bye]]. They were eliminated in the divisional round of the playoffs, losing 33–13 to the [[Super Bowl XLIII|eventual NFC Champion]] [[2008 Arizona Cardinals season|Arizona Cardinals]] after Delhomme [[Turnover (gridiron football)|turned the ball over]] six times.<ref name="Soaring Cardinals one game away from first Super Bowl berth">{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2009 |title=Soaring Cardinals one game away from first Super Bowl berth |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=290110029 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126132849/http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=290110029 |archive-date=January 26, 2013 |access-date=January 30, 2013 |website=[[ESPN.com]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> Delhomme's struggles carried over into the [[2009 Carolina Panthers season|2009 season]], where he threw 18 interceptions in the first 11 games before breaking a finger in his throwing hand.<ref name="Report: Panthers won't fire coach, GM">{{Cite web |date=December 28, 2009 |title=Report: Panthers won't fire coach, GM |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4776316 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728234619/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4776316 |archive-date=July 28, 2013 |access-date=January 30, 2013 |website=[[ESPN.com]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> The Panthers were at a {{Win–loss record|w=4|l=7}} record before Delhomme's season-ending injury,<ref name="i233">{{cite web | title=In brief: Delhomme out for remainder of season | website=Spokesman.com | date=2009-12-25 | url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/dec/25/in-brief-delhomme-out-for-remainder-of-season/ | access-date=2024-09-02}}</ref> and his backup, [[Matt Moore (American football)|Matt Moore]], led the team to a {{Win–loss record|w=4|l=1}} finish to the season for an {{Win–loss record|w=8|l=8}} overall record.<ref name="New York Jets in playoffs = conspiracy">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/100105&sportCat=nfl|title=New York Jets in playoffs = conspiracy|author=[[Gregg Easterbrook|Easterbrook, Gregg]]|date=January 5, 2010|work=ESPN.com|access-date=January 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401055516/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook%2F100105&sportCat=nfl|archive-date=April 1, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[2010 Carolina Panthers season|2010]], after releasing Delhomme in the offseason, the Panthers finished with a league-worst ({{Win–loss record|w=2|l=14}}) record; their offense was the worst in the league.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-03-05 |title=Panthers cut Delhomme, signal switch to Moore |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4967109 |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2010 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2010/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> John Fox's contract expired after the season ended, and the team did not retain him or his staff.<ref name="Falcons beat Panthers 31-10, win home-field edge">{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap?gid=20110102001|title=Falcons beat Panthers 31–10, win home-field edge|last=Odum|first=Charles|date=January 3, 2011|work=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|access-date=January 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204055854/http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap?gid=20110102001|archive-date=December 4, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>