The 2011 Carolina Panthers season was defined by the historic debut of number one overall pick Cam Newton, who set an NFL rookie record with 4,051 passing yards and earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Under first-year head coach Ron Rivera, the team showcased a revitalized and explosive offense that improved their win total from the previous year and featured standout performances from Pro Bowlers Steve Smith and Ryan Kalil. The first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and 2015 NFL MVP, Cam Newton is a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback who holds the NFL record for most career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.