2021 New England Patriots season
The 2021 season was the New England Patriots' 52nd season in the National Football League (NFL), their 62nd overall, their 20th playing home games at Gillette Stadium, and their 22nd under head coach Bill Belichick.
| 2021 New England Patriots season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Robert Kraft |
| Head coach | Bill Belichick |
| Home field | Gillette Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 10–7 |
| Division place | 2nd AFC East |
| Playoff finish | Lost Wild Card Playoffs (at Bills) 17–47 |
| Pro Bowlers | QB Mac Jones CB J. C. Jackson LB Matthew Judon ST Matthew Slater |
| AP All-Pros | CB J. C. Jackson (2nd team) ST Matthew Slater (2nd team) |
| Uniform | |
Following the team's 7–9 finish the previous season, their first losing record since 2000, the Patriots spent a record $163 million in guaranteed money to sign new free agent acquisitions. 11 free agents were added to the roster on March 19, with the largest contracts awarded to linebacker Matthew Judon, tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, cornerback Jalen Mills, and wide receiver Nelson Agholor. In the 2021 NFL draft, New England selected quarterback Mac Jones 15th overall, marking the first time the Patriots drafted a first-round quarterback since Drew Bledsoe in 1993. Jones also became the first rookie quarterback to start for the Patriots since Bledsoe after he was named the starter ahead of the season opener.
The Patriots began the season 2–4, but won their next 7 games in a row to get control of the AFC #1 seed. However, the team went 1-3 in their final games, lost control of the #1 seed and the AFC East, and finished with a 10–7 record, still managing to secure a wild card berth. In their first playoff appearance without quarterback Tom Brady since 1998 and their first as a wild card under Belichick, they were defeated 47-17 by the division rival Buffalo Bills, the worst postseason loss of Belichick's tenure. The playoff game was also the Patriots' last with Belichick.