text: Matt Rhule era: 2020–2022 With Ron Rivera fired during the 2019 season, the Panthers commenced a coaching search. In January 2020, Matt Rhule was hired as the Panthers fifth head coach. Rhule previously coached at Baylor and Temple, turning both programs into contenders. He also spent a season on the Giants staff in 2012.
  2020 season
  During the offseason, the Panthers with parted two key members of Super Bowl 50: former 2015 MVP Cam Newton was released and signed with the New England Patriots and linebacker Luke Kuechly retired immediately after the 2019 season. Rhule brought on a new coaching staff aside from special teams coach Chase Blackburn, who was retained. At the 2020 NFL draft the Panthers used all seven picks on defense, a first in franchise history. The picks included defensive tackle Derrick Brown and safety/cornerback Jeremy Chinn. The Panthers would replace Newton with Teddy Bridgewater.
  With preseason games cancelled, the 2020 season proved difficult for the team. The Panthers lost eight games by seven points or less, including last-second losses to the Saints and Chiefs. McCaffrey spent most of the year hampered by various injuries, allowing backup Mike Davis to start most of the games at running back. On December 21, the Panthers fired general manager Marty Hurney for the second time. They would finish the season 5–11, repeating their record from the previous year.