Jordan Gross was selected eighth overall in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft from Utah. He joined the Charlotte team as an immediate solution for the offensive line. Throughout 11 seasons, Gross proved to be the epitome of durability at tackle, maintaining consistent performance and establishing the franchise's standard for resilience.

Gross combined excellent footwork with strong technical skills. While his core strength was ideal for driving defenders in the running game, his real expertise was in pass protection. Using balanced movements and patient hand placement, he effectively neutralized pass rushers without losing deep pocket leverage, executing textbook sets that enabled quarterbacks like Jake Delhomme and Cam Newton to operate smoothly.

Gross made a strong start as a rookie in 2003, taking his place as the starting right tackle from day one. He played every offensive snap during the season, permitting only three sacks and leading a line that propelled Carolina to Super Bowl XXXVIII.

After a standout rookie year, Gross transitioned to left tackle, securing the quarterback's blind side for the rest of his career. His best season was in 2008, when he played exceptionally well, allowing minimal pressure and creating running lanes for DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. That year, he was chosen for his first Pro Bowl and received First-Team All-Pro honors, helping Carolina achieve a 12–4 record and win the NFC South division.

Gross earned two more Pro Bowl selections in 2010 and 2013. In his last season in 2013, he was the team captain for an NFC South-winning team, leading a front five that protected Cam Newton and contributed to a 12–4 record.

After the 2013 season, Gross retired, having spent all 11 of his professional seasons with Carolina. His durability sets a team benchmark: he played and started in all 167 games of his career, marking the franchise record for the most career starts by any player. The organization honored his contributions by inducting Gross into the Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor in 2019, alongside longtime teammates Steve Smith Sr. and Jake Delhomme.