2018
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2018 Panini Contenders Optic Football Hobby Box
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Other releases of Panini Contenders Optic
Frequently asked
What are the key rookie autographs in this product?
The Rookie Ticket RPS Autographs are the main draw, featuring the 2018 draft class with Baker Mayfield, Saquon Barkley, Sam Darnold, Bradley Chubb, Josh Allen, and Josh Rosen as the top names. Each box averages one on-card RPS rookie auto.
How many autographs come in each box?
Each box contains 2 autographs total. One is guaranteed to be on-card (either a Rookie Ticket RPS or Veteran Ticket), and the second is an additional auto from Tribute, All-Time Contenders, or Player of the Year sets.
What's the deal with the Contenders Tribute cards?
These are chromium versions of iconic Contenders cards from 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005, featuring legends like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Kurt Warner. They're all on-card and extremely limited, with some like the 2000 Contenders Tribute Tom Brady having only 3 copies plus a 1/1 Gold Vinyl.
What parallels are available for the base cards?
Season Ticket and Rookie Ticket base cards have Red (/199), Blue (/99), Orange (/49), Gold (/10), and Gold Vinyl (1/1) parallels. There are also 1/1 Printing Plates in Black, Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow for each card.
What insert sets should I hunt for?
The main inserts are Triple Threat, X's and O's, MVP Contenders, and Player of the Year Contenders. Triple Threat and X's and O's are numbered to 175 and have the full parallel spectrum. One insert comes per box.
Is this a good value compared to regular Contenders?
Contenders Optic is pricier (around $160 per box) than standard Contenders, but you're paying for the chromium Opti-Chrome finish, guaranteed on-card autographs, and access to the Tribute sets. If you're chasing 2018 rookies or vintage Contenders reimaginings, it's worth the premium.
How many cards are in the set?
The base set is 192 cards total, split between 90 Season Ticket veterans (#1-90), 10 Rookie Tickets (#91-100), 40 Rookie Ticket RPS Autographs (#101-140), and 60 Rookie Ticket Autographs (#141-200).
When did 2018 Panini Contenders Optic come out?
It dropped March 1, 2019.
What's in a 2018 Panini Contenders Optic hobby box?
1 pack per box, 6 cards per pack, 2 autographs per box (1 on-card)
Where can I buy 2018 Panini Contenders Optic?
We track listings across the major North American card shops and surface the best price up top. The Buy on eBay links go through the eBay Partner Network.
2018 Panini Contenders Optic Football
2018 Panini Contenders Optic Football is a chromium-finished take on Contenders with a heavy focus on rookie autographs, especially the 2018 draft class RPS Rookie Ticket Autographs like Baker Mayfield and Saquon Barkley. Each box delivers two autographs, including one on-card signature.
Autographs
2 Autographs per box on average
On average per hobby box
- 1 On-card autographs (Rookie Ticket RPS or Veteran Ticket)
- 1 Additional autographs (Tribute, All-Time Contenders, or Player of the Year)
- 2 Season Ticket base cards (veterans)
- 1 Insert card (X's and O's, MVP Contenders, Triple Threat, or Player of the Year)
- 1 Parallel card (Red, Blue, Orange, Gold, or Gold Vinyl)
Inserts to watch
- Rookie Ticket RPS Autographs 1 per box on average The marquee chase featuring 2018 draft class rookies like Baker Mayfield, Saquon Barkley, and Sam Darnold with on-card signatures.
- Contenders Tribute Autographs Chromium reimaginings of classic Contenders cards from 1999-2005 with legends like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Kurt Warner; limited to 10 copies or fewer.
- Triple Threat 1 per box Numbered insert set with Purple (/99), Orange (/49), Blue (/25), Gold (/10), and Gold Vinyl (1/1) parallels.
- X's and O's 1 per box Strategic-themed insert numbered to 175 with the same parallel tiers as Triple Threat.
- MVP Contenders Insert set highlighting top performers; one per box on average.
Fast facts
- Released
- March 1, 2019
- Box config
- 1 pack per box, 6 cards per pack, 2 autographs per box (1 on-card)
- Set size
- 198 cards
- Top rookie
- Josh Allen