Each year since taking over in 2011, Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera has allowed his team the opportunity to select a permanent group of captains from within the locker room. The NFL allocates up to six team members can be given this distinction and coachers are awarded the flexibility for how to bestow the honor.
Some teams alternate captains weekly, others keep a consistent group with one or two changing but Rivera has traditionally maintained the same group throughout the duration of the season – barring any injuries.
Veteran linebacker Thomas Davis wasn’t initially selected as a captain last year but earned the designation after starting tight end Greg Olsen was injured.