Michigan Panthers (2022)

{{Short description|Football team of the United Football League (2024)}}

{{About|the team in the second edition of the USFL|the team in the original USFL from the 1980s|Michigan Panthers}}{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}

{{Infobox UFL team

| current = 2025 Michigan Panthers season

| name = Michigan Panthers

| founded = {{Start date and age|2021|11|22}}

| first_season = 2022

| stadium = Ford Field
Detroit, Michigan

| misc =

| logo = Michigan_Panthers_transparent.png

| wordmark =

| affiliate_old = United States Football League (2022–2023)

| uniform = Michigan Panthers UFL Uniform (2024).svg

| colors = Royal plum, champagne silver, light blue
{{color box|#6F2C3F}} {{color box|#C5B783}} {{color box|#4698CA}}

| song =

| retired_numbers =

| mascot = Pablo

| website = {{URL|https://www.theufl.com/teams/michigan}}

| owner = Fox Corporation (50%), Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, RedBird Capital Partners (50%)

| chairman =

| general manager = Steve Kazor

| president =

| coach = Mike Nolan

| nicknames =

| hist_yr = 2022

| UFL_start_yr = 2024

| division_hist =

USFL Conference (2024–present)
North Division (2022–2023)

| no_league_champs = 0

| no_preufl_champs = 0

| preufl_champs =

| no_ufl_champs = 0

| ufl_champs =

| no_conf_champs = 1

| no_div_champs = 0

| no_playoff_appearances = 3

| playoff_appearances =

USFL: 2023
UFL: 2024, 2025

| conf_champs =

USFL: 2025

| div_champs =

| stadium_years =

Protective Stadium/Legion Field (2022)
Ford Field (2023{{nbnd}}present)

| team_owners =

| team_presidents =

}}

The Michigan Panthers are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. The Panthers compete in the United Football League (UFL) as a member of the USFL Conference. The team is owned and operated by Dwayne Johnson's Alpha Acquico and Fox Corporation. The team plays its home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit, which also hosts the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL).{{Cite web|url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/1/26/23572525/usfls-michigan-panthers-will-play-at-ford-field-in-2023|title=USFL’s Michigan Panthers will play at Ford Field in 2023|first=Jeremy|last=Reisman|date=January 26, 2023|website=Pride Of Detroit}}

History

The Michigan Panthers were one of eight teams that were officially announced as a USFL franchise on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on November 22, 2021.{{Cite web|title=USFL unveils team cities, nicknames and logos for 2022 debut|url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/usfl-unveils-team-cities-nicknames-and-logos-for-2022-debut|access-date=2021-12-18|website=FOX Sports|language=en-US|archive-date=2022-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103064356/https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/usfl-unveils-team-cities-nicknames-and-logos-for-2022-debut|url-status=live}} On January 27, 2022, it was announced on The Herd with Colin Cowherd that former NFL head coach Jeff Fisher was named the head coach and general manager of the Panthers.{{Cite web|date=January 27, 2022|title=USFL 2022: Jeff Fisher, Larry Fedora named as final two coaches|url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/usfl/usfl-2022-jeff-fisher-larry-fedora-named-as-final-two-coaches|website=Fox Sports|access-date=January 27, 2022|archive-date=January 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127191239/https://www.foxsports.com/stories/usfl/usfl-2022-jeff-fisher-larry-fedora-named-as-final-two-coaches|url-status=live}}

The Panthers selected Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson with the first overall pick in the 2022 USFL draft.{{cite news |author=McMann, Aaron |title=The USFL helps keep ex-Michigan QB Shea Patterson's dream alive |url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2022/02/the-usfl-helps-keep-ex-michigan-qb-shea-pattersons-dream-alive.html |website=MLive.com |date=February 25, 2022 |access-date=April 17, 2022 |archive-date=March 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309105156/https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2022/02/the-usfl-helps-keep-ex-michigan-qb-shea-pattersons-dream-alive.html |url-status=live }} In the first two games of 2022, the Panthers lost to the Houston Gamblers and New Jersey Generals.{{cite web |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/2022/04/17/usfl-michigan-panthers-game-score-vs-houston-gamblers-time-tv/7347386001/ |title=Michigan Panthers lose 17-12 to Houston Gamblers: Game thread replay |author=Ryan Ford |date=April 17, 2022 |publisher=USA TODAY Network |website=www.freep.com |access-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221145207/https://www.freep.com/story/sports/2022/04/17/usfl-michigan-panthers-game-score-vs-houston-gamblers-time-tv/7347386001/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/2022/04/22/usfl-michigan-panthers-game-score-new-jersey-generals-live-scoring-updates/7404366001/ |title=Michigan Panthers now 0-2 after 10-6 loss to the New Jersey Generals: Game thread replay |author=Ryan Ford |date=April 22, 2022 |publisher=USA TODAY Network |website=www.freep.com |access-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221145204/https://www.freep.com/story/sports/2022/04/22/usfl-michigan-panthers-game-score-new-jersey-generals-live-scoring-updates/7404366001/ |url-status=live }} On May 1, 2022, the team won their first ever game with a 24–0 win at Protective Stadium against the Pittsburgh Maulers.{{cite web |url=https://sports.nbcsports.com/2022/05/01/usfl-live-blog-score-updates-for-pittsburgh-maulers-vs-michigan-panthers/ |title=USFL Score, highlights: Michigan Panthers shutout Pittsburgh Maulers, 24-0, to win first game of the season |author=Madison Jones |date=May 1, 2022 |publisher=NBC Universal |website=www.sports.nbcsports.com |access-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221145204/https://sports.nbcsports.com/2022/05/01/usfl-live-blog-score-updates-for-pittsburgh-maulers-vs-michigan-panthers/ |url-status=live }} Losses resumed after that, the Panthers' only other win of the season was against the Maulers, a 33–21 with the winner assuming the rights to the first overall pick in the 2023 USFL draft.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/usfl/news/usfl-week-10-takeaways-panthers-earn-first-pick-in-2023-draft-by-winning-matchup-of-two-worst-teams/ |title=USFL Week 10 takeaways: Panthers earn first pick in 2023 draft by winning matchup of two worst teams |author=Jeff Kerr |date=June 19, 2022 |publisher=CBS Sports Interactive |website=www.cbssports.com |access-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117193027/https://www.cbssports.com/usfl/news/usfl-week-10-takeaways-panthers-earn-first-pick-in-2023-draft-by-winning-matchup-of-two-worst-teams/ |url-status=live }}

In October, 2022, the Panthers hired Steve Kazor as general manager.{{Cite web |title=USFL hires new general managers for two teams |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/usfl/usfl-hires-new-general-managers-for-two-teams |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=FOX Sports |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205031229/https://www.foxsports.com/stories/usfl/usfl-hires-new-general-managers-for-two-teams |url-status=live }} After all eight USFL teams played their home games in Birmingham, Alabama, the Panthers moved to the state of Michigan in 2023, announcing Ford Field as their home stadium.{{cite web |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/other/2023/01/23/usfl-plans-ford-field-announcement-detroit-mayor-mike-duggan-to-attend/69832456007/ |title=USFL's Michigan Panthers will play at Ford Field in 2023; EMU may host practices |author=Tony Paul |date=January 24, 2023 |publisher=The Detroit News |website=www.detroitnews.com |access-date=January 24, 2023 |archive-date=January 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123195625/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/other/2023/01/23/usfl-plans-ford-field-announcement-detroit-mayor-mike-duggan-to-attend/69832456007/ |url-status=live }} On February 3, 2023, the USFL announced that Fisher had been replaced as head coach by Mike Nolan, citing only "personal reasons."{{Cite web |date=2023-02-03 |title=USFL Michigan Panthers Head Coach Jeff Fisher stepping down ahead of 2023 season |url=https://www.fox2detroit.com/sports/usfl-michigan-panthers-head-coach-jeff-fisher-stepping-down-ahead-of-2023-season |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=FOX 2 Detroit |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203150515/https://www.fox2detroit.com/sports/usfl-michigan-panthers-head-coach-jeff-fisher-stepping-down-ahead-of-2023-season |url-status=live }}

File:MichiganPanthersvsHoustonRoughnecksUFL52624-46 (53752353645).jpg in Houston in 2024]]

In September 2023, Axios reported that the XFL was in advanced talks with the USFL to merge the two leagues prior to the start of their 2024 seasons.{{cite web |last1=Baysinger |first1=Tim |last2=Primack |first2=Dan |last3=Fischer |first3=Sara |date=September 19, 2023 |title=Scoop: Football leagues XFL and USFL in merger talks |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/09/19/xfl-usfl-merger |access-date=September 19, 2023 |website=Axios |language=en}} On September 28, 2023, the XFL and USFL announced their intent to merge with details surrounding the merger to be announced at a later date.{{Cite web |author=TSN ca Staff |date=2023-09-28 |title=XFL, United States Football League announce intention to merge |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nfl/xfl-united-states-football-league-announce-intention-to-merge-1.2013718 |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=TSN |language=en-CA}} The merger would also require regulatory approval.{{Cite web |last=Schad |first=Tom |date=2023-09-28 |title=XFL, USFL confirm intention to merge into single spring football league |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/xfl/2023/09/19/xfl-usfl-discussing-merger/70899491007/ |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=USA Today |language=en}} In October 2023 the XFL filed a trademark application for the name "United Football League".{{Cite web |date=October 18, 2023 |title=XFL files trademark applications for 'United Football League' and 'UFL' |url=https://www.expressnews.com/sports/article/xfl-files-trademark-applications-united-football-18433404.php |website=San Antonio Express-News |language=en-US}} On November 30, 2023, Garcia announced via her Instagram page that the leagues had received regulatory approval for the merger and were finalizing plans for a "combined season" to begin March 30, 2024.{{Cite web |title=We are pleased to have completed the antitrust review process in connection with the proposed merger of the XFL and USFL and intend to play a combined season this spring kicking off on Saturday, March 30. We are now finalizing terms of the definitive agreement and will share more about this new League in the coming weeks. |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C0Rxyhvx3ug/ |website=Instagram |language=en-US}} The merger was made official on December 31, 2023.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-31 |title=USFL, XFL announce merger, formation of new spring football league: The UFL |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/usfl-xfl-announce-merger-formation-of-new-spring-football-league-the-ufl-182236680.html |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}

Current roster

= Players =

Staff

{{NFL final staff

|Year=

|TeamName=Michigan Panthers

|Front Office=

General manager – Steve Kazor

|Head Coaches=

Head coach – Mike Nolan

|Offensive Coaches=

Offensive coordinator – Marcel Bellefeuille
Offensive line – Tim Holt
Running backs – Jordan Pavlisin
Special teams coordinator/Wide receivers – Jaron Fairman
Tight ends – Gary Watkins

|Defensive Coaches=

Defensive coordinator/Defensive line – Collin Bauer
Linebackers – Christian Runza
Defensive backs – Brock Marion

}}

Player history

= Current NFL players =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

!Season

!Pos

!Name

!NFL team

2023

|CB

|Josh Butler

|Dallas Cowboys

2023

|WR

2024

2024

|CB

|Nate Brooks

|Cincinnati Bengals

= Notable players =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

!Season

!Pos

!Name

!Notes

2023

|DT

|Robert Nkemdiche

|Former Arizona Cardinals Defensive Tackle, 2016 1st Round Pick

2023–present

|DE

|Breeland Speaks

|Former Kansas City Chiefs Defensive End, 2018 2nd Round Pick

= Offensive Player of the Year award winners =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+ align="center" style="{{NFLPrimaryColor\|Michigan Panthers}}; {{NFLSecondaryColor\|Michigan Panthers}};" \|Panthers USFL OPOY winners
scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers}};" \|Year !scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers}};" \|Player !scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers}};" \|Position !scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers}};" \|Selector
2025 \|Bryce Perkins \|QB \|UFL

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ align="center" style="{{NFLPrimaryColor|Michigan Panthers}}; {{NFLSecondaryColor|Michigan Panthers}};" |Panthers USFL OPOY winners

scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers}};" |Year

!scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers}};" |Player

!scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers}};" |Position

!scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers}};" |Selector

2025

|Bryce Perkins

|QB

|UFL

= Defensive Player of the Year award winners =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+ align="center" style="{{NFLPrimaryColor\|Michigan Panthers}}; {{NFLSecondaryColor\|Michigan Panthers}};" \|Panthers USFL DPOY winners
scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers}};" \|Year !scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers}};" \|Player !scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers}};" \|Position !scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers}};" \|Selector
2023 \| scope="row" \|Frank Ginda \|LB \|USFL
2024 \|Breeland Speaks \|DE \|UFL

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ align="center" style="{{NFLPrimaryColor|Michigan Panthers}}; {{NFLSecondaryColor|Michigan Panthers}};" |Panthers USFL DPOY winners

scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers}};" |Year

!scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers}};" |Player

!scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers}};" |Position

!scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers}};" |Selector

2023

| scope="row" |Frank Ginda

|LB

|USFL

2024

|Breeland Speaks

|DE

|UFL

= Special Teams Player of the Year award winners =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+ align="center" style="{{NFLPrimaryColor\|Michigan Panthers}}; {{NFLSecondaryColor\|Michigan Panthers}};" \|Panthers USFL DPOY winners
scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers}};" \|Year !scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers}};" \|Player !scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers}};" \|Position !scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers}};" \|Selector
2025 \|Kedrick Whitehead Jr. \|S \|UFL

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ align="center" style="{{NFLPrimaryColor|Michigan Panthers}}; {{NFLSecondaryColor|Michigan Panthers}};" |Panthers USFL DPOY winners

scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers}};" |Year

!scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers}};" |Player

!scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers}};" |Position

!scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers}};" |Selector

2025

|Kedrick Whitehead Jr.

|UFL

Coach history

= Head coach history =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! rowspan="2" \|# ! rowspan="2" \|Name ! rowspan="2" \|Term ! colspan="4" \|Regular season ! colspan="3" \|Playoffs ! rowspan="2" \|Awards
GC !W !L !Win % !GC !W !L
colspan="11" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}};" \|Michigan Panthers
1 \|Jeff Fisher \|2022 \|10 \|2 \|8 \|.200 \| 0 \| 0 \| 0 \|
2 \|Mike Nolan \|2023–present \|30 \|17 \|13 \|.586 \| 3 \| 1 \| 2 \|*UFL Coach of the Year (2024)

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! rowspan="2" |#

! rowspan="2" |Name

! rowspan="2" |Term

! colspan="4" |Regular season

! colspan="3" |Playoffs

! rowspan="2" |Awards

!Win %

!GC

colspan="11" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers|border=2}};" |Michigan Panthers

|Jeff Fisher

|2022

|10

|.200

| 0

|Mike Nolan

|2023–present

|30

|17

|13

|.586

| 3

| 1

| 2

|*UFL Coach of the Year (2024)

= Offensive coordinator history =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! rowspan="2" \|# ! rowspan="2" \|Name ! rowspan="2" \|Term ! colspan="4" \|Regular season ! colspan="3" \|Playoffs ! rowspan="2" \|Awards
GC !W !L !Win % !GC !W !L
colspan="11" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}};" \|Michigan Panthers
1 \|Eric Marty \|2022-2023 \| 20 \| 6 \| 14 \| .300 \| 1 \| 0 \| 1 \|
2 \|Marcel Bellefeuille \|2024–present \| 20 \| 13 \| 7 \|.650 \|2 \|1 \|1 \|

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! rowspan="2" |#

! rowspan="2" |Name

! rowspan="2" |Term

! colspan="4" |Regular season

! colspan="3" |Playoffs

! rowspan="2" |Awards

!Win %

!GC

colspan="11" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers|border=2}};" |Michigan Panthers

|Eric Marty

|2022-2023

| 20

| 6

| 14

| .300

| 1

| 0

| 1

|Marcel Bellefeuille

|2024–present

| 20

| 13

| 7

|.650

= Defensive coordinator history =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! rowspan="2" \|# ! rowspan="2" \|Name ! rowspan="2" \|Term ! colspan="4" \|Regular season ! colspan="3" \|Playoffs ! rowspan="2" \|Awards
GC !W !L !Win % !GC !W !L
colspan="11" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}};" \|Michigan Panthers
1 \|Daniel Carrell \|2022 \|10 \|2 \|8 \|.200 \| 0 \| 0 \| 0 \|
2 \|Steve Brown \|2023 \|10 \|4 \|6 \|.400 \| 1 \| 0 \| 1 \|
2 \|Collin Bauer \|2024–present \| 20 \| 13 \| 7 \| .650 \| 2 \| 1 \| 1 \|

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! rowspan="2" |#

! rowspan="2" |Name

! rowspan="2" |Term

! colspan="4" |Regular season

! colspan="3" |Playoffs

! rowspan="2" |Awards

!Win %

!GC

colspan="11" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers|border=2}};" |Michigan Panthers

|Daniel Carrell

|2022

|10

|.200

| 0

|Steve Brown

|2023

|10

|.400

| 1

| 0

| 1

|Collin Bauer

|2024–present

| 20

| 13

| 7

| .650

| 2

| 1

Records

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers}};" \|All-time Panthers leaders
scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers}};" \|Leader !scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers}};" \|Player !scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers}};" \|Record !scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers}};" \|Years with Panthers
scope="row"\| Passing Yards \| Josh Love\|\| 1,907 passing yards \|\| 2022–2023
scope="row"\|Passing Touchdowns \|Josh Love \|15 passing touchdowns \|2022–2023
scope="row"\| Rushing \| Reggie Corbin \|\| 955 rushing yards \|\| 2022–2023
scope="row"\|Rushing Touchdowns \|Bryce Perkins \|7 rushing touchdowns \|2024-present
scope="row"\| Receiving Yards \| Siaosi Mariner\|\| 873 receiving yards \|\| 2024–present
scope="row"\|Receiving Touchdowns \|Cole Hikutini \|7 receiving touchdowns \|2023–present
scope="row"\|Receptions \|Joe Walker \|66 receptions \|2022–2023
scope="row"\|Tackles \|Frank Ginda \|348 tackles \|2022–present
scope="row"\| Sacks \| Breeland Speaks \|\| 18.5 sacks \|\| 2023–present
scope="row"\| Interceptions \| Kai Nacua \| 4 interceptions \|\| 2023–present
scope="row"\|Coaching wins \|Mike Nolan \|17 wins \|2023–present

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers}};" |All-time Panthers leaders

scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers}};" |Leader

!scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers}};" |Player

!scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers}};" |Record

!scope="col" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers}};" |Years with Panthers

scope="row"| Passing Yards

| Josh Love|| 1,907 passing yards || 2022–2023

scope="row"|Passing Touchdowns

|Josh Love

|15 passing touchdowns

|2022–2023

scope="row"| Rushing

| Reggie Corbin || 955 rushing yards || 2022–2023

scope="row"|Rushing Touchdowns

|Bryce Perkins

|7 rushing touchdowns

|2024-present

scope="row"| Receiving Yards

| Siaosi Mariner|| 873 receiving yards || 2024–present

scope="row"|Receiving Touchdowns

|Cole Hikutini

|7 receiving touchdowns

|2023–present

scope="row"|Receptions

|Joe Walker

|66 receptions

|2022–2023

scope="row"|Tackles

|Frank Ginda

|348 tackles

|2022–present

scope="row"| Sacks

| Breeland Speaks || 18.5 sacks || 2023–present

scope="row"| Interceptions

| Kai Nacua

| 4 interceptions || 2023–present

scope="row"|Coaching wins

|Mike Nolan

|17 wins

|2023–present

=== Starting Quarterbacks ===

Regular season – As of June 9, 2025

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}}; scope="col" \| Season(s) ! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}}; scope="col" \| Quarterback(s) ! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}}; scope="col" \| Notes ! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}}; scope="col" \| Ref
scope="row" \| 2022 \| Shea Patterson (0–5) / Paxton Lynch (2–1) / Josh Love (0–2) \| \|{{cite web\|title=2022 Michigan Panthers Stats\|url=https://www.footballdb.com/teams/usfl2/michigan-panthers/stats/2022\|website=footballdb.com\|date=May 18, 2025}}
scope="row" \| 2023 \| Josh Love (3–6) / E.J. Perry (1–0) \| \|{{cite web\|title=2023 Michigan Panthers Stats\|url=https://www.footballdb.com/teams/usfl2/michigan-panthers/stats/2023\|website=footballdb.com\|date=May 18, 2025}}
scope="row" \| 2024 \| Danny Etling (3–1) / E.J. Perry (2–2) / Brian Lewerke (2–0) \| \|{{cite web\|title=2024 Michigan Panthers Stats\|url=https://www.footballdb.com/teams/ufl/michigan-panthers/stats/2024\|website=footballdb.com\|date=May 18, 2025}}
scope="row" \| 2025 \| Bryce Perkins (4–2) / Danny Etling (2–1) / Rocky Lombardi (0–1) \| \|{{cite web\|title=2025 Michigan Panthers Stats\|url=https://www.footballdb.com/teams/ufl/michigan-panthers/stats/2025\|website=footballdb.com\|date=May 18, 2025}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers|border=2}}; scope="col" | Season(s)

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers|border=2}}; scope="col" | Quarterback(s)

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers|border=2}}; scope="col" | Notes

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers|border=2}}; scope="col" | Ref

scope="row" | 2022

| Shea Patterson (0–5) / Paxton Lynch (2–1) / Josh Love (0–2)

|{{cite web|title=2022 Michigan Panthers Stats|url=https://www.footballdb.com/teams/usfl2/michigan-panthers/stats/2022|website=footballdb.com|date=May 18, 2025}}

scope="row" | 2023

| Josh Love (3–6) / E.J. Perry (1–0)

|{{cite web|title=2023 Michigan Panthers Stats|url=https://www.footballdb.com/teams/usfl2/michigan-panthers/stats/2023|website=footballdb.com|date=May 18, 2025}}

scope="row" | 2024

| Danny Etling (3–1) / E.J. Perry (2–2) / Brian Lewerke (2–0)

|{{cite web|title=2024 Michigan Panthers Stats|url=https://www.footballdb.com/teams/ufl/michigan-panthers/stats/2024|website=footballdb.com|date=May 18, 2025}}

scope="row" | 2025

| Bryce Perkins (4–2) / Danny Etling (2–1) / Rocky Lombardi (0–1)

|{{cite web|title=2025 Michigan Panthers Stats|url=https://www.footballdb.com/teams/ufl/michigan-panthers/stats/2025|website=footballdb.com|date=May 18, 2025}}

Postseason

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}}; scope="col" \| Season(s) ! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}}; scope="col" \| Quarterback(s) ! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}}; scope="col" \| Notes ! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}}; scope="col" \| Ref
scope="row" \| 2023 \| E.J. Perry (0–1) \| \|{{cite web\|title=2023 Postseason Michigan Panthers Stats\|url=https://www.footballdb.com/teams/usfl2/michigan-panthers/stats/2023?type=post\|website=footballdb.com\|date=May 18, 2025}}
scope="row" \| 2024 \| Danny Etling (0–1) \| \|{{cite web\|title=2024 Postseason Michigan Panthers Stats\|url=https://www.footballdb.com/teams/ufl/michigan-panthers/stats/2024?type=post\|website=footballdb.com\|date=May 18, 2025}}
scope="row" \| 2025 \| Bryce Perkins (1–1) \| \|

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers|border=2}}; scope="col" | Season(s)

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers|border=2}}; scope="col" | Quarterback(s)

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers|border=2}}; scope="col" | Notes

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Michigan Panthers|border=2}}; scope="col" | Ref

scope="row" | 2023

| E.J. Perry (0–1)

|{{cite web|title=2023 Postseason Michigan Panthers Stats|url=https://www.footballdb.com/teams/usfl2/michigan-panthers/stats/2023?type=post|website=footballdb.com|date=May 18, 2025}}

scope="row" | 2024

| Danny Etling (0–1)

|{{cite web|title=2024 Postseason Michigan Panthers Stats|url=https://www.footballdb.com/teams/ufl/michigan-panthers/stats/2024?type=post|website=footballdb.com|date=May 18, 2025}}

scope="row" | 2025

| Bryce Perkins (1–1)

Most games as starting quarterback

scope="col" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}};"\| Name ! scope="col" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}};"\| Period ! scope="col" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}};"\| {{tooltip\|GP\|Games played (regular season)}} ! scope="col" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}};"\| {{tooltip\|GS\|Games started (regular season)}} ! scope="col" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}};"\| {{tooltip\|W\|Number of wins as starting quarterback}} ! scope="col" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}};"\| {{tooltip\|L\|Number of losses as starting quarterback}} ! scope="col" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}};"\| {{tooltip\|Pct\|Winning percentage}}
class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
{{sortname\|Josh\|Love}}	2022–2023	14	11	3	8	{{Winning percentage\|3\|8\|record=n}}
{{sortname\|Danny\|Etling}}	2024–2025	15	7	5	2	{{Winning percentage\|5\|2\|record=n}}
{{sortname\|Bryce\|Perkins}}	2024–2025	12	6	4	2	{{Winning percentage\|4\|2\|record=n}}
E.J. Perry	2023–2024	5	5	3	2	{{Winning percentage\|3\|2\|record=n}}
{{sortname\|Shea\|Patterson}}	2022	6	5	0	5	{{Winning percentage\|0\|5\|record=n}}
{{sortname\|Paxton\|Lynch}}	2022	6	3	2	1	{{Winning percentage\|2\|1\|record=n}}
{{sortname\|Brian\|Lewerke}}	2024	5	2	2	0	{{Winning percentage\|2\|0\|record=n}}
{{sortname\|Rocky\|Lombardi}}	2025	2	1	0	1	{{Winning percentage\|0\|1\|record=n}}

Statistics and records

=Season by season record=

class="wikitable"

|bgcolor="#ffe6bd"|UFL champions^† (2024–present)

|bgcolor="#ffcccc"|USFL champions^§ (2022–2023)

|bgcolor="#ddffdd"|Conference champions^*

|bgcolor="#d0e7ff"| Division champions^{^}

|bgcolor="#96cdcd"|Wild Card berth^#

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" !rowspan="2"\|Season !rowspan="2"\|Team !rowspan="2"\|League !rowspan="2"\|Conference !rowspan="2"\|Division !colspan="3"\|Regular season !rowspan="2"\|Postseason results !rowspan="2"\|Awards !rowspan="2"\|Head coaches !rowspan="2"\|Pct.
Finish !{{Tooltip\|W\|Wins}} !{{Tooltip\|L\|Losses}}
2022 \|2022 \|USFL ! \|North \|bgcolor=\|3rd \|bgcolor=\|2 \|bgcolor=\|8 \|bgcolor=\| \| \|Jeff Fisher \|{{winning percentage\|2\|8}}
2023 \|2023 \|USFL ! \|North \|bgcolor="#96cdcd"\|2nd ^# \|bgcolor="#96cdcd"\|4 \|bgcolor="#96cdcd"\|6 \|bgcolor="#96cdcd"\|Lost Division Finals (at Maulers) 27–31 (OT) \|Frank Ginda (DPOY) Ethan Westbrooks (SMOY) \|rowspan="3"\|Mike Nolan \|rowspan="3"\|{{winning percentage\|17\|13}}
2024 \|2024 \|UFL \|USFL ! \|bgcolor="#96cdcd"\|2nd ^# \|bgcolor="#96cdcd"\|7 \|bgcolor="#96cdcd"\|3 \|bgcolor="#96cdcd"\|Lost USFL Conference Championship (at Stallions) 18–31 \|Mike Nolan (COTY) Breeland Speaks (DPOTY)
2025 \|2025 \|UFL \|USFL ! \|bgcolor="#ddffdd"\|2nd * \|bgcolor="#ddffdd"\|6 \|bgcolor="#ddffdd"\|4 \|bgcolor="#ddffdd"\|Won USFL Conference Championship (at Stallions) 44–29 Lost UFL Championship (Defenders) 34–58 \|Bryce Perkins (MVP)
rowspan="3" colspan="6"\|Total !19 !21 !colspan="3"\|All-time regular season record (2022–2025) !{{winning percentage\|19\|21}}
1 !3 !colspan="3"\|All-time postseason record (2022–2025) !{{winning percentage\|1\|3}}
20 !24 !colspan="3"\|All-time regular season and postseason record (2022–2025) !{{winning percentage\|20\|24}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

!rowspan="2"|Season

!rowspan="2"|Team

!rowspan="2"|League

!rowspan="2"|Conference

!rowspan="2"|Division

!colspan="3"|Regular season

!rowspan="2"|Postseason results

!rowspan="2"|Awards

!rowspan="2"|Head coaches

!rowspan="2"|Pct.

Finish

!{{Tooltip|W|Wins}}

!{{Tooltip|L|Losses}}

2022

|2022

|USFL

|North

|bgcolor=|3rd

|bgcolor=|2

|bgcolor=|8

|bgcolor=|

|Jeff Fisher

|{{winning percentage|2|8}}

2023

|2023

|USFL

|North

|bgcolor="#96cdcd"|2nd ^#

|bgcolor="#96cdcd"|4

|bgcolor="#96cdcd"|6

|bgcolor="#96cdcd"|Lost Division Finals (at Maulers) 27–31 (OT)

|Frank Ginda (DPOY)
Ethan Westbrooks (SMOY)

|rowspan="3"|Mike Nolan

|rowspan="3"|{{winning percentage|17|13}}

2024

|2024

|UFL

|USFL

|bgcolor="#96cdcd"|2nd ^#

|bgcolor="#96cdcd"|7

|bgcolor="#96cdcd"|3

|bgcolor="#96cdcd"|Lost USFL Conference Championship (at Stallions) 18–31

|Mike Nolan (COTY)
Breeland Speaks (DPOTY)

2025

|2025

|UFL

|USFL

|bgcolor="#ddffdd"|2nd *

|bgcolor="#ddffdd"|6

|bgcolor="#ddffdd"|4

|bgcolor="#ddffdd"|Won USFL Conference Championship (at Stallions) 44–29
Lost UFL Championship (Defenders) 34–58

|Bryce Perkins (MVP)

rowspan="3" colspan="6"|Total

!19

!21

!colspan="3"|All-time regular season record (2022–2025)

!{{winning percentage|19|21}}

!colspan="3"|All-time postseason record (2022–2025)

!{{winning percentage|1|3}}

!24

!colspan="3"|All-time regular season and postseason record (2022–2025)

!{{winning percentage|20|24}}

=Rivalries=

==Northern Duel==

The Michigan Panthers previously shared a rivalry with the New Jersey Generals.{{Cite web |title=USFL's divisional rivalries unveiled for every team |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/usfl/rivalries |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=FOX Sports |language=en-US}} This rivalry was called the Northern Duel. The Panthers finished with a 1–3 record against the New Jersey Generals in 2 seasons. After the 2023 season the rivalry was not renewed as the New Jersey Generals folded during the XFL–USFL merger of 2024.

==Franchise matchup history==

class="wikitable sortable"

!Team

!Record

!Pct.

Arlington Renegades

|2–0

|1.000

DC Defenders

|2–1

|.667

Memphis Showboats

|4–1

|.800

Houston Gamblers/Roughnecks

|4–2

|.667

St. Louis Battlehawks

|1–1

|.500

San Antonio Brahmas

|1–1

|.500

-bgcolor=lightgray

|Philadelphia Stars

|2–2

|.500

-bgcolor=lightgray

|Pittsburgh Maulers

|2–3

|.400

-bgcolor=lightgray

|New Jersey Generals

|1–3

|.250

-bgcolor=lightgray

|Tampa Bay Bandits

|0–1

|.000

-bgcolor=lightgray

|New Orleans Breakers

|0–2

|.000

Birmingham Stallions

|1–7

|.125

Defunct teams in light gray.

References

External links

{{Official website|https://www.theufl.com/teams/michigan}}

Category:2021 establishments in Alabama

Category:American football teams established in 2021

Category:Michigan Panthers (2022)

Category:American football teams in Detroit

Category:United States Football League (2022) teams

Category:United Football League (2024)

scope="col" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}};"\| Name ! scope="col" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}};"\| Period ! scope="col" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}};"\| {{tooltip\|GP\|Games played (regular season)}} ! scope="col" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}};"\| {{tooltip\|GS\|Games started (regular season)}} ! scope="col" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}};"\| {{tooltip\|W\|Number of wins as starting quarterback}} ! scope="col" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}};"\| {{tooltip\|L\|Number of losses as starting quarterback}} ! scope="col" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle\|Michigan Panthers\|border=2}};"\| {{tooltip\|Pct\|Winning percentage}}
class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
{{sortname\|Josh\|Love}}	2022–2023	14	11	3	8	{{Winning percentage\|3\|8\|record=n}}
{{sortname\|Danny\|Etling}}	2024–2025	15	7	5	2	{{Winning percentage\|5\|2\|record=n}}
{{sortname\|Bryce\|Perkins}}	2024–2025	12	6	4	2	{{Winning percentage\|4\|2\|record=n}}
E.J. Perry	2023–2024	5	5	3	2	{{Winning percentage\|3\|2\|record=n}}
{{sortname\|Shea\|Patterson}}	2022	6	5	0	5	{{Winning percentage\|0\|5\|record=n}}
{{sortname\|Paxton\|Lynch}}	2022	6	3	2	1	{{Winning percentage\|2\|1\|record=n}}
{{sortname\|Brian\|Lewerke}}	2024	5	2	2	0	{{Winning percentage\|2\|0\|record=n}}
{{sortname\|Rocky\|Lombardi}}	2025	2	1	0	1	{{Winning percentage\|0\|1\|record=n}}