The Panini America Quality Control Gallery: 2013 Contenders Football (126 Sweet Pics)
One week from today, Panini America officials will kick off the new year with the release of 2013 Contenders Football, annually one of the most significant and substantial products on the sports card calendar. The newest iteration of the appropriately named Contenders brand (for it’s always in contention for Product of the Year honors) arrives in hobby shops on January 3 packing five autographs per box and a bevy of fresh designs tinged with old-school nostalgia.
Returning for 2014 are the always-intriguing photo variations, a recurring development that should be well received by set-builders and SP seekers alike. In the Quality Control Gallery that follows, we’ve featured several variation images, including pics of the tell-tale backs. For collectors curious as to which version of a player’s card is the SP variation, look closely at the helmet logo on the back of each card: The variations are the ones with no stars around the helmet.
In the coming days we’ll have continued coverage of 2013 Contenders Football right here on The Knight’s Lance. But until then, the following 126 images from the recently completed Quality Control process should set the stage for next Friday’s monumental release.
Enjoy.
The Knight's Lance 
Looks awesome. Nice job. On card auto’s sweet.
Yay! Marlon Brown! Go Dogs!
GOT to give away a box of THESE…
Are the SP’s missing stars just on the autos or is there base and insert variations too?
Being a KC fan, I love to see the Chiefs get some love! Love those Chiefs Autos!
Found an error on the back of the Ryan Griffin card! The quote on the back has a misprint. It says you?re instead of you’re. Already autographed! Too late to fix?
Most excellent observation! You forgot to mention how beautiful the cards are! HAPPY ALOHA FRIDAY last one of 2013!
I’m really hoping to see Micah Hyde in this product…the guy has been fantastic for the Packers.
Been waiting on a Hyde auto anything for too long!
Boykin would be nice too, though he had some autos in another company’s collegiate product.
best freaking product cant wait to get my dolphin card sets out of these products
lets see if a 1/1 sells for 30 grand this year
I cannot wait for this release! Its the one I get every year! The variations are super cool and really add another dynamic to collecting this set! A box of these is worth every penny! Speaking of cost… what is MSRP on a box?
Love the cracked ice parallel’s
I always love Contenders! This year I am confuse as to why the autographs run opposite direction of the player. To me it looks strange…won’t stop me from buying all of the Packers though!
Awesome to see more McGloin and Sio Moore autos. Still missing one Raider you haven’t produced an auto for yet – Menelik Watson. Please include him in an upcoming set!!
can’t wait! comes out the day after my birthday!
Wow!! A much improved product from the previous years!! Will it be available in retail blaster boxes Tracy- like the previous year- and when can we expect to find it in retail?
why is the color for the thumbnail in negative?
Just wanted to give it a different look.
I want that Michael Cox. This continues to be one of the most sought after products every year. The auto rookie cards are the best.
I know you won’t give out checklists until the product releases, but did Justin Pugh, 1st rd OT for the Giants make the auto checklist?
Hey Tracy,
I assume he would be, but is Zac Stacy in the auto checklist?
Thanks
Yes, sir.
I like the mention of the home stadium on the cards!!!
Plus, nice touch on the Matt McGloin AUTO!!!
35-Calvin Johnson MVP
45-Landry Jones auto rookie
98-John host if rookie auto
35,45,76
Thanks for the contest.
I would just like to point out scouring this gallery with a fine tooth comb trying to find your hidden images, I found an error on the DJ Swearinger barcode on the front that has his DOB. It says he was born on 1899
Hi Tracy — does Panini plan to release retail-only autos and variation autos in blasters as they did in 2012?
Not sure but will check with our product guys.
Contenders is one of the most sought after products every year, the SP chase is always good to keep track of if not participate in! Thanks Tracy!