CANTON, Ohio — Sam Mills might be the first true Carolina Panther to go into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but he might not have to wait long for a few familiar faces.
The coming years could lead to several more Panthers legends having a shot at the sport's ultimate recognition, and it might not be long before we hear their names.
There's a reasonable shot that in the next five years, there could be two more Panthers, if not more, joining Mills in the Hall, as wide receiver Steve Smith, defensive end Julius Peppers, linebacker Luke Kuechly, and eventually, quarterback Cam Newton will be discussed, among others.
A look at some of the best pictures of Steve Smith Sr. during his career with the Panthers
Smith spins the ball after picking up a first down against the Oakland Raiders.
Smith sprints past Saints defenders in the home opener.
Smith leaps over a defender for a touchdown grab against the Washington Redskins.
Smith gets fired up after a first-down catch against Tampa Bay.
Smith exits the tunnel prior to kickoff against the Denver Broncos.
FILE In this Dec. 2, 2007 file photo, Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) reacts after making a catch during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in NFL football game action in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers' star receiver praised the free-agent signing of Muhsin Muhammad on Monday April 21, 2008, then delivered harsh words for teammate Dwayne Jarrett whose disappointing rookie season was followed by an offseason charge of driving while impaired. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) and Muhsin Muhammad (87) walk off the field after their 33-13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in an NFL divisional playoff football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) heads for the end zone leaving Giants cornerback Corey Webster (23) in his wake in the second quarter during their NFL football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008. The touchdown was reversed on a challenge by the Giants. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith runs the ball during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith is shown prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Charlotte, NC, Monday, Nov. 18, 2013. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2013, file photo, Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) runs after a catch against New York Giants' Prince Amukamara (20) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. Smith, a free agent, signed a three-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens on Friday, March 14, 2014. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone, File)
FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2013 file photo, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith crosses his arms after a touchdown catch against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis. The agent for Smith says the five-time Pro Bowl selection has played his final snap for the Panthers. Smith's longtime representative Derrick Fox told The Associated Press on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, that Smith "is not going to play for the Panthers next year, I know that. I just don't know when that transaction is going to take place." (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt, File)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) makes a touchdown reception against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tarell Brown (25)during the first half of a divisional playoff NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) catches a touchdown pass against Seattle Seahawks' K.J. Wright (50) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) smiles after making a catch in front of San Francisco 49ers safety Donte Whitner (31) during the third quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) reacts after a catch against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith, left, runs past Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Gerald McCoy (93) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) is knocked out of bounds by New England Patriots' Aqib Talib (31) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Nov. 18, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) runs past St. Louis Rams' Janoris Jenkins (21) for a touchdown after a catch in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) reacts after a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) reacts during player introductions prior to an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Charlotte, NC Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) reaches in vain for a catch as Oakland Raiders' Michael Huff (24) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) reacts during player introductions before the start of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec.1, 2013. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) catches a touchdown pass against Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Wilson (26) during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2012, file photo, Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) runs after a catch as Atlanta Falcons' Thomas DeCoud (28) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. Smith has reached the ranks of the elite receivers ever to play the game. But does the 33-year-old Smith stand a chance at becoming the first Carolina Panther to enter the Hall of Fame when he retires or does he need to continue to add numbers? (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt, File)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith cuts behind a block after catching a ,pass against the San Diego Chargers during the second half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) on the sidelines against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011. The Panthers won 48-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) stiff-arms New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle (26) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012. The Giants won 36-7. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) catches a touchdown pass while covered by Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Neiko Thorpe (38) during the first half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) reacts after his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) celebrates his touchdown reception in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Sunday , Nov. 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) reacts to a completed pass during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) runs for a first down during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) autographs a football for a young fan prior to an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Nov.13, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) runs after a catch against the Detroit Lions in the third quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith takes the field before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) catches a pass during an NFL football game Green Bay Packers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) it tackled by Detroit Lions corner back Eric Wright, right, and cornerback Chris Houston, left, an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday , Nov. 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) and Steve Smith (89) shown before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) celebrates after his touchdown catch from quarterback Cam Newton against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. It was Newton's first career touchdown pass. Cardinals' Adrian Wilson (24) looks on. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) hauls in a pass as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Kerry Rhodes defends during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 28-21. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith displays his gloves prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Sunday was the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) is shown before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith give a fan a football and his gloves prior to an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) hangs on to the ball for a touchdown as he is brought down by New England Patriots cornerback Shawn Springs (29) during their NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday afternoon, Dec. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Carolina Panthers' Jake Delhomme, left, and Steve Smith walk together after a touchdown in the third quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008 in Charlotte, N.C. Carolina defeated Washington 47-3. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith celebrates a touchdown during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Smith was eligible this year for the first time and advanced to the cut of 26 semifinalists.
While his production and toughness merit induction, Smith does face a bit of a traffic problem at his position. There were three other wide receivers in the group of 15 finalists this year — Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, and Torry Holt, plus return man Devin Hester.
Smith is eighth on the all-time receiving yards list with 14,731 (for reference, Wayne is 10th, Johnson 11th, and Holt 15th). He also did not have the advantage of playing with a Hall of Fame quarterback during his career the way Wayne (Peyton Manning) and Holt (Kurt Warner) did.
Smith lacks as extensive a playoff resume as some of those players (again, the quarterbacks were a factor there), but he was a five-time Pro Bowler, and in 2005, he led the league in receptions, yards, and touchdowns for a team which ran more than it threw.
His case is a strong one.
Also, of the seven players ahead of Smith on the all-time yardage list, the only one who isn't in the Hall yet is Larry Fitzgerald, and that's because he's not eligible yet.
There is a much easier case for Peppers, who will be eligible for the first time in 2024.
Peppers is fourth on the league's all-time sack list with 159.5 and second all-time in forced fumbles.
A nine-time Pro Bowler, Peppers compiled a better resume based on stats alone than a number of pass-rushers who didn't have to wait long. Jason Taylor was a first-ballot selection and had 20 fewer sacks and three fewer Pro Bowls.
If precedent matters, Peppers will be joining Mills, his former coach, soon.
View photos of Luke Kuechly from his record-breaking eight seasons with the Carolina Panthers.
Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly, top, celebrates after sacking Denver Broncos' Peyton Manning during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 50 football game Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly Carolina Panthers against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Luke Kuechly returns an interception during a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, November 26, 2017.
Luke Kuechly at the game against the Saints on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018.
Luke Kuechly signals before the snap against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, November 18, 2018. The Carolina Panthers play against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018 in Detroit, MI.
Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis talk during Panthers practice on Thursday, December 13, 2018.
Carolina Panthers linebackers Luke Kuechly (59) and Thomas Davis (58) look into the backfield during an NFL Super Bowl 50 football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 24-10. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly during team stretch before the game against Washington on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 at FedEx Field in Landover, MD.
Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) during warm ups prior to Super Bowl 50 championship football game on Sunday, February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, Calif. The Broncos won the game 24-10. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) celebrates after making a play during an NFL Super Bowl 50 football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 24-10. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) runs to sack Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) during Super Bowl 50 between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers , Sunday, February 6, 2016, in Santa Clara, CA. The Broncos won 28-10. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) celebrates his sack of Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, Calif. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 24-10 to win Super Bowl 50. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Carolina Panthers celebrate after the NFL football NFC Championship game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers won 49-15 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
A more nuanced debate will begin in 2025 when Kuechly becomes eligible for the first time.
The ding on Kuechly will be that he has less of a body of work, just eight seasons in the league and 118 games.
But the Hall has overlooked longevity in favor of incandescence in recent years, with this year's induction of Tony Boselli (91 games in seven seasons) and the recent additions of players such as Terrell Davis (78 games in parts of seven seasons). Being brilliant matters as well.
Kuechly went to seven Pro Bowls in his eight seasons and was a first-team All-Pro five times. He was also the defensive rookie of the year in 2012 and the defensive player of the year in 2015.
It will be interesting to track his candidacy alongside a peer with a nearly identical resume — 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.
Willis was a finalist for the first time this year, also pushing through the truncated career argument. He played in 112 games in eight seasons with the 49ers, also making seven Pro Bowls, and he was also a defensive rookie of the year award winner. Empirically speaking, he and Kuechly have practically identical resumes.
At some point, Newton will also become a strong candidate, five years from the time when he's last active.
The former Panthers quarterback was an actual unicorn, a run-pass option without peer.
He was a three-time Pro Bowler and the league MVP in 2015 when he led the Panthers to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance.
He also leads all quarterbacks in the history of the game in rushing touchdowns (and only 24 running backs in the history of the game have more than his 75 scores). No player in league history has ever had more games with a rushing and passing touchdown (ahead of some guy named Steve Young).
Of course, the clock hasn't started for Newton, and some day other Panthers players will have their candidacies weighed.
The Panthers did have some representation in the Hall prior to Mills, including Kevin Greene, former general manager Bill Polian, original team president Mike McCormack, defensive end Reggie White (who played his final season here), and safety Donnie Shell (who worked in the front office for 15 years).
But Mills had the strongest tie to the franchise of them all, and looking ahead, it doesn't appear he will have to wait long for some Carolina company.
View photos from the ceremony in Canton as Melanie Mills and Jim Mora presented Sam Mills for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Melanie Mills and Jim Moore Sr. unveil the bust of Sam Mills during the 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Olivia McLucas/NFL)
The bust of Hall of Fame class of 2022 member Sam Mills during the 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Melanie Mills speaks during the 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Olivia McLucas/NFL)
Melanie Mills and Jim Moore Sr. with the bust of Hall of Fame class of 2022 member Sam Mills during the 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Melanie Mills and Jim Moore Sr. unveil the bust of Sam Mills during the 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Olivia McLucas/NFL)
Melanie Mills and Jim Moore Sr. unveil the bust of Hall of Fame class of 2022 member Sam Mills during the 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Melanie Mills and Jim Moore Sr. on stage during the 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Melanie Mills and Jim Moore Sr. with the bust of Hall of Fame class of 2022 member Sam Mills during the 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Melanie Mills and Jim Moore Sr. unveil the bust of Hall of Fame class of 2022 member Sam Mills during the 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Melanie Mills and Jim Moore Sr. unveil the bust of Hall of Fame class of 2022 member Sam Mills during the 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Melanie Mills speaks on stage during the 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Melanie Mills with the bust of Hall of Fame class of 2022 member Sam Mills during the 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Melanie Mills speaks on stage during the 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
The bust of Hall of Fame class of 2022 member Sam Mills during the 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Melanie Mills with the bust of Hall of Fame class of 2022 member Sam Mills during the 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Melanie Mills speaks during the 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Olivia McLucas/NFL)
Melanie Mills and Jim Moore Sr. unveil the bust of Sam Mills during the 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Olivia McLucas/NFL)
Melanie Mills and Jim Moore Sr. on stage during the 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Melanie Mills speaks on stage during the 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Melanie Mills and Jim Moore Sr. unveil the bust of Sam Mills during the 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Olivia McLucas/NFL)
