Who are the Panthers’ MVPs on offense, defense and special teams? Locker room votes

The Panthers haven’t had much to celebrate this season.

At 2-14, Carolina is one game away from the closing out a miserable, forgettable campaign. But while there has been plenty of woe, the Panthers have still had some strong individual performers on their roster this season.

On Wednesday, The Observer polled 50 players from the team’s 53-man roster, 16-man practice squad and injured reserve to get their votes for the Panthers’ offensive, defensive and special teams MVPs this season. In order to vote, players had to have been with the team for at least four weeks this season.

While the entire roster wasn’t made available for voting — notable non-voters included quarterback Bryce Young, tight end Tommy Tremble, wide receiver Jonathan Mingo, running backs Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard and safety Vonn Bell — the consensus of the locker room was felt with two main contenders surging in each category.

Below are the 2023 Processing Blue Panthers MVP awards (as voted on by the Carolina locker room):

Panthers offensive MVP: WR Adam Thielen

Votes: 28

Season stats (through Week 17): 101 catches (134 targets) for 1,002 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns

Analysis: Thielen leads the Panthers in receptions and receiving yards this season, and he crossed the 100-catch/1,000-yard mark for the second time in his career on Sunday. Thielen’s 75.4% catch rate is a phenomenal mark, and the veteran receiver can frequently be seen in the locker room and on the practice field coaching up his younger teammates.

The Panthers’ free-agent haul has been a series of misfires this season, but Thielen has been the lone big-money bet to pay off — perhaps even beyond the offseason expectations. The two-time Pro Bowl playmaker has been Young’s favorite target since Week 1, and the two have routinely partnered on big plays throughout the season.

Thielen is one of only seven players in NFL history to produce 100 catches and 1,000 receiving yards in a season at the age of 33 or older, according to the Panthers. He is one of only four players in Carolina history to reach that milestone and the first since 2019.

Panthers WR Adam Thielen reaches notable regular-season milestone in matchup vs. Jaguars

Panthers offensive runner-up: RB Chuba Hubbard

Votes: 20

Season stats (through Week 17): 215 carries for 819 yards (3.8 YPC) and 5 rushing touchdowns; 37 catches (42 targets) for 224 receiving yards (6.1 YPC).

Analysis: The third-year running back started the season as the backup to Sanders, who arrived in town as a big-money free-agent addition. However, after Sanders struggled with performance and injuries ahead of the bye week, Hubbard was pushed up the totem pole.

Since Week 6, Hubbard has led the running back room and done well, despite the turnstile of injuries at both guard spots. Hubbard leads the team in rushing yards and crossed the 1,000 all-purpose yards total on Sunday. He has a career high in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns entering the final year of his rookie contract.

Depending on who is in charge, Hubbard could get a shot at the permanent No. 1 job next season.

Others who received votes: RT Taylor Moton, TE Tommy Tremble

Observer staff picks

Scott Fowler: WR Adam Thielen

Mike Kaye: WR Adam Thielen

Langston Wertz Jr.: WR Adam Thielen

Alex Zietlow: WR Adam Thielen

Panthers defensive MVP: DE Derrick Brown

Votes: 33

Season stats (through Week 17): 96 tackles (51 solo, 6 for loss), a sack, 13 QB hits, 5 pass breakups and an interception

Analysis: Brown has been the Panthers’ best overall performer throughout the season.

The top overall vote-getter among his peers, Brown has led all NFL interior defensive linemen with 48 stops through 16 games. Brown is also the fourth-ranked interior defensive lineman in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.

Brown’s teammates and coaches rave about his intelligence and study habits. The same groups also marvel at his dominance in the trenches.

Brown has thrived while being used as a defensive end in coordinator Ejiro Evero’s 3-4 scheme. Defensive line coach Todd Wash told The Observer in December that Brown is just scratching the surface of his potential this season.

Brown will enter the final year of his rookie contract next season, and he is a prime candidate for a contract extension this offseason.

Why Panthers’ Derrick Brown is dominating his competition and only getting better

Panthers defensive runner-up: LB Frankie Luvu

Votes: 13

Season stats (through Week 17): 119 tackles (10 for loss), 5.5 sacks, 10 QB hits, 5 pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Analysis: Luvu is the Panthers’ most versatile player. With the ability to line up as an outside or inside linebacker in the 3-4 front, Luvu has been a sensational two-way player for Carolina.

One of the best blitzers in the league, Luvu is able to create regular pressure on the quarterback. His energetic style of play also makes him a nasty tone-setter against the run.

Affectionately called “Uce” by his teammates, Luvu has also stepped up as a leader at linebacker with Shaq Thompson (leg) sidelined on injured reserve for the majority of the season. Luvu leads the team in tackles this season and is second in sacks.

Entering free agency for the second time in his career in March, Luvu is sure to cash in here or elsewhere this offseason.

Others who received votes: S Xavier Woods, OLB Brian Burns, CB Donte Jackson

Observer staff picks

Scott Fowler: DE Derrick Brown

Mike Kaye: DE Derrick Brown

Langston Wertz Jr.: DE Derrick Brown

Alex Zietlow: DE Derrick Brown

Panthers special teams MVP: DB Sam Franklin

Votes: 27

Season stats (through Week 17): 7 special teams tackles

Analysis: Franklin is the heart of the special teams unit.

With a zany personality and an energetic playing style, Franklin has established himself as one of the best young punt coverage men in the business.

Despite spending quite a bit of time on defense this season, Franklin has still been able to leave his mark in the third phase. He leads the team in special teams tackles, and he received more than 50% of the locker room vote for this award.

Franklin will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. If interim head coach Chris Tabor is retained, Franklin could be back in the mix for the foreseeable future as the team’s top gunner on punt team.

Panthers special teams runner-up: P Johnny Hekker

Votes: 9

Season stats (through Week 17): 76 punts for 3,592 yards (47.3 YPA), 42.5 net yards per attempt, 7 yards passing (95.8 passer rating)

Analysis: The Observer’s sports staffers have nicknamed Hekker “The Weapon” for a reason.

The longtime punter is the most accomplished player in Carolina with four first-team All-Pro selections. He also has a pretty decent arm, as shown on passing trick plays over the past several years.

Hekker is about as consistent as they come, and he ranks 12th all-time in punts downed within the opponent’s 20-yard line (353).

Hekker’s ability to flip the field has kept the Panthers from some seriously lopsided games this season. He’s still superb at 33 years old.

Others who received votes: LS JJ Jansen, K Eddy Piñeiro, TE Stephen Sullivan, KR Raheem Blackshear

Observer staff picks

Scott Fowler: K Eddy Piñeiro

Mike Kaye: P Johnny Hekker

Langston Wertz Jr.: K Eddy Piñeiro

Alex Zietlow: P Johnny Hekker