The 2016 season was the Carolina Panthers' 22nd in the National Football League (NFL) and their sixth under head coach Ron Rivera.

The previous year, the Panthers achieved their highest win total in franchise history with a 15–1 record, but lost to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50.

The Panthers struggled throughout the season with injuries and loss of star players via free agency and retirement.

The Panthers also had top wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who missed the entire 2015 season due to an ACL tear, returning from injury.

Norman was named First-team All-Pro in 2015 after allowing the lowest passer rating when targeted among NFL cornerbacks.

The Panthers drafted corners James Bradberry, Daryl Worley and Zack Sanchez to compensate for the loss.

It was another rough day for Newton, who left the game with a concussion in the fourth quarter, allowing backup QB Derek Anderson into action.

With Cam Newton returning from a concussion, the Panthers urged a late comeback and tied the game at 38–38, but New Orleans kicker Wil Lutz hit the gamewinner to seal the 41–38 victory for the Saints.

After the Panthers went into the fourth quarter with a seven-point lead, Graham Gano kicked a field goal making it 10–0.

After both teams kicked field goals, and with less than two minutes left in the game, Los Angeles scored a touchdown, but the Panthers manage to win 13–10 improving to 3–5.

The Panthers went into the fourth quarter with a 17–3 lead over the Chiefs but things changed when Cairo Santos kicked a field goal, and Eric Berry had a pick six.

In the Panthers' last possession of the game, the ball was stripped out of Kelvin Benjamin's hands and Kansas City recovered to set up the game-winning field goal.

After their embarrassing 17-point comeback loss four days prior, the Panthers hosted the Saints in a Thursday Night 'Color Rush' Matchup.

Late in the fourth quarter star linebacker Luke Kuechly left the game and was evaluated for a concussion.

They turned things around and had an explosive third quarter scoring eighteen points giving them a one-point lead over the Raiders.

In their second Monday Night Football game of the season, the Panthers took on the Washington Redskins at FedExField in Landover, Maryland.