7 Football Players who Played for Browns and Panthers
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Browns and the Panthers.
Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield was selected 1st overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2018 NFL Draft after winning the Heisman Trophy in 2017 while at the University of Oklahoma. He then won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018.
Mayfield was been credited with bringing renewed energy and competitiveness to the Browns franchise, helping them make the playoffs in the 2020 NFL season for the first time since 2002.
However, injuries hurt his production during the end of his time in Cleveland and he was subsequently traded to the Panthers. Mayfield has bounced around a bit since then, fighting for another starting quarterback role.
Mayfield Key Stats
- 3000+ Yard Passing Season (Browns)
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson had an NFL career spanning over a decade. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft but didn’t make his mark until 2007 when he became the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.
That year for the Browns, Anderson had a Pro Bowl season, throwing for 3787 yards and 29 touchdowns. However, he couldn’t maintain that level of performance in the subsequent seasons.
Anderson spent the majority of his career as a reliable backup, primarily for the Carolina Panthers from 2011 to 2017, where he occasionally stepped in for Cam Newton. He ended his NFL journey with the Buffalo Bills in 2018. Anderson passed for 10,878 yards and 60 touchdowns over his career.
Jake Delhomme
Jake Delhomme had a prominent career in the NFL, mainly remembered for his time as a quarterback with the Carolina Panthers. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the New Orleans Saints in 1997, but it was with the Panthers that he truly made a name for himself.
Delhomme joined the Carolina Panthers in 2003 and immediately made an impact, leading the team to a Super Bowl appearance in his first season as their starter. Though the Panthers lost to the Patriots, Delhomme’s performance throughout that season and in the playoffs established him as a top quarterback in the league.
During his career with the Panthers (2003-2009), Delhomme was named to the Pro Bowl in 2005, and he left the team holding several franchise records, including highest quarterback rating in a single season and most career fourth-quarter comeback wins.
Delhomme Key Stats
- Pro Bowl (Panthers)
- 3000+ Yard Passing Season (Panthers)
Vinny Testaverde
Vinny Testaverde’s NFL career spanned an impressive 21 seasons, during which he showcased resilience, talent, and an ability to adapt. Selected as the first overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1987, Testaverde played for seven teams, with his longest tenures at Tampa Bay and the New York Jets.
Despite a rocky start with the Buccaneers, Testaverde went on to throw for over 46,000 yards and 275 touchdowns in his career, making two Pro Bowl appearances. He led the Jets to the AFC Championship game in the 1998 season.
He holds the NFL record for throwing touchdowns to 70 different players, a testament to his lengthy career and adaptability. Testaverde retired in 2007, wrapping up one of the longest careers for a quarterback in NFL history.
Testaverde Key Stats
- Pro Bowl (Ravens, Jets)
- 3000+ Yard Passing Season (Buccaneers, Ravens, Jets, Cowboys)
Eric Metcalf
Eric Metcalf was selected as the 13th overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He played in the NFL for 13 seasons, with stints at 7 different teams including the Browns, Falcons, Chargers, Cardinals, Panthers, Redskins, and Packers.
Metcalf was primarily utilized as a return specialist and running back. His versatility and speed made him a significant threat in special teams. Over his career, he recorded almost 8,000 rushing and receiving yards, but his most remarkable achievements came as a return specialist, where he scored 12 return touchdowns.
He was named to three Pro Bowls and earned two 1st Team All-Pro selections. His ability to change games with his special teams play made him one of the most exciting players to watch during his career.
Metcalf Key Stats
- 1st Team All-Pro (Browns, Chargers)
- Pro Bowl (Browns, Chargers)
- 1000+ Receiving Yard Season (Falcons)
Josh McCown
Josh McCown, known for his resilience and adaptability, carved out a noteworthy 17-year career in the NFL – mostly as a reliable backup quarterback.
From his entry into the league with the Arizona Cardinals in 2002, he played for 9 different teams, a few times as the starting QB, but also stepping in and performing effectively whenever called upon when he wasn’t.
He threw for over 17,000 yards and 98 touchdowns, holding a career passer rating of around 80. Particularly impressive stints came with the Chicago Bears in 2013 and the New York Jets in 2017.
Leroy Hoard
Leroy Hoard was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. Hoard played in the NFL for ten seasons with the Browns, Ravens, and Vikings. His career highlights include earning a Pro Bowl selection in 1994 while with the Browns, where he rushed for 890 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Known for his hard-nosed running style, Hoard became a valuable short-yardage specialist and a reliable blocker. He amassed a total of 3,964 rushing yards, 36 rushing touchdowns, and 2,430 receiving yards with 15 receiving touchdowns over his career.
One of his most famous quotes, “If you need one yard, I’ll get you three. If you need five yards, I’ll get you three,” perfectly sums up his playing style. His willingness to grind out tough yards made him a respected figure among teammates and opponents alike.
