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.[2] 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.[3]
The Panthers selected Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson with the first overall pick in the 2022 USFL draft.[4] In the first two games of 2022, the Panthers lost to the Houston Gamblers and New Jersey Generals.[5][6] On May 1, 2022, the team won their first ever game with a 24–0 win at Protective Stadium against the Pittsburgh Maulers.[7] 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.[8]
In October, 2022, the Panthers hired Steve Kazor as general manager.[9] 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.[10] On February 3, 2023, the USFL announced that Fisher had been replaced as head coach by Mike Nolan, citing only "personal reasons."[11]
A game between the Panthers (left) and the Houston Roughnecks 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.[12] 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.[13] The merger would also require regulatory approval.[14] In October 2023 the XFL filed a trademark application for the name "United Football League".[15] 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.[16] The merger was made official on December 31, 2023.[17]
All-time regular season and postseason record (2022–2024)
.406
Rivalries
Northern Duel
The Michigan Panthers previously shared a rivalry with the New Jersey Generals.[18] 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.
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