The transition from a team led by Jordan Gross and Steve Smith continues.Last year, the two longest-tenured Panthers were essentially grandfathered in as team captains. But with Gross retired and Smith in Baltimore, new leaders are needed this season.After a player’s vote Monday, head coach Ron Rivera announced that tight end Greg Olsen and defensive end Charles Johnson would fill the open spots. It’s the first time either of the eighth-year players have been named captains by their teammates.Per NFL rules, teams are allowed to have a max of six captains.Quarterback Cam Newton, center Ryan Kalil, and linebackers Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly were the team’s four other choices. It’s the fourth straight season Davis has received the honor. Newton, Kalil and Kuechly were first-time captains last year.The soft-spoken Johnson is the biggest surprise on the list, but he has been used as a fill-in previously. He still won’t be a rah-rah guy, but Rivera believes the “C” patch may help Johnson become an even better player. Or at least, a somewhat more vocal leader.”I think it helps him realize that people do look up to him,” Rivera said. “Some guys don’t want to be in front and obviously this kind of puts him in front and I think that helps.”