2021 Carolina Panthers season
| 2021 Carolina Panthers season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | David Tepper |
| General manager | Scott Fitterer |
| Head coach | Matt Rhule |
| Home stadium | Bank of America Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 5–12 |
| Division place | 4th NFC South |
| Playoffs | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | DE Brian Burns CB Stephon Gilmore |
| Uniform | |
The 2021 season was the Carolina Panthers' 27th in the National Football League (NFL), their first under general manager Scott Fitterer, as well as the second and final full season under head coach Matt Rhule.
The team began the season by winning their first three games before losing the next four. With a Week 10 win against the Arizona Cardinals, they matched their five-win total from each of the two previous seasons. However, the Panthers fell into a seven-game losing streak and failed to improve on their 5–11 record from the previous two seasons. After a Week 16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Panthers were eliminated from playoff contention for a fourth consecutive season. Ahead of Week 10, quarterback Cam Newton returned to the franchise after a one-year absence following an injury to starter Sam Darnold.