As the Carolina Panthers prepare for their 2026 season opener against the Chicago Bears in 12 days, a new ranking places former wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad at number 12 on a list of the top 100 Panthers of all time. Muhammad, a second-round pick in the 1996 NFL Draft out of Michigan State, made a significant impact during his tenure with the team.
Muhammad’s rookie season in 1996 saw him play nine games, accumulating over 400 receiving yards and one touchdown despite a hamstring issue. His breakout year came in 1998, his third season, where he started all 16 games and recorded 68 catches for 941 yards and six touchdowns. The following season, he earned his first Pro Bowl selection with 96 receptions, 1,253 yards, and eight touchdowns.
In 2000, Muhammad led the entire NFL with 102 catches, totaling nearly 1,200 yards and six scores. The 2003 season was particularly notable, as Muhammad and the Panthers made a surprising run to the Super Bowl. During that game, he set a Super Bowl record with an 85-yard receiving touchdown from quarterback Jake Delhomme.
His most productive individual season occurred in 2004, a contract year, where he thrived in the absence of an injured Steve Smith Sr. Muhammad caught 93 passes for a career-high 1,405 yards and a Panthers franchise record 16 receiving touchdowns. Following this stellar performance, he signed a six-year, $30 million contract with the Chicago Bears in 2005. He later returned to the Panthers in 2008 and retired after the 2009 season.
Muhammad was inducted into the Panthers Hall of Honor in 2023, alongside Julius Peppers. He holds the second-highest franchise rankings in all major receiving categories, including catches, yards, and touchdowns, solidifying his place as a prominent figure in Panthers history.
