text: The Panthers selected Heisman Trophy and national championship-winning quarterback Cam Newton with the 1st overall pick of the 2011 NFL draft. This move was controversial, as Newton's ability to play in the NFL was widely doubted by many experts, but it also showed a clear sign that the Panthers were dissatisfied with Jimmy Clausen. Amid all the speculation, Cam went on to break numerous records. They included Peyton Manning's rookie passing yard record and rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a single season. With leadership from Newton, coach Ron Rivera, and a huge comeback season from Steve Smith, the Panthers would finish the 2011 season 6–10 – a four-game improvement over the previous year – and finish 3rd in the division.
  2012 season
  The Panthers drafted Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly with the 9th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and unveiled an updated logo and word mark. Carolina started the season 2–8, losing many of them by late-game collapses. A 19–14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys resulted in longtime general manager Marty Hurney being fired. However, the team managed to win 5 out of their final 6 games to finish with a record of 7–9, good for 2nd in the NFC South. It became their first season with single-digit losses since 2009. The strong finish helped to save head coach Ron Rivera from otherwise losing his job, despite talk of the coach being fired after the season's end.
  2013 season
  Before the season started, the Panthers hired longtime Giants executive Dave Gettleman as general manager. After allowing the Buffalo Bills to score the game-winning touchdown with only 2 seconds left in their week 2 matchup, and then losing 22–6 in week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals in which Cam Newton threw three interceptions, the Panthers fell 1–3 to begin the season. Head coach Ron Rivera's job was once again in serious jeopardy, along with questions of Newton's leadership.