The Carolina Panthers are once again wrestling with their perennial quarterback quandary. The team, which has struggled to find a stable and effective leader under center since Cam Newton's prime years, recently made the decision to bench Bryce Young. Selected as the No. 1 overall pick, Young was expected to be the solution to the Panthers' ongoing dilemma, but his journey has been far from smooth.
Bumpy Ride for Bryce Young
Bryce Young's tenure as the Panthers' starting quarterback has been marked by a series of underwhelming performances. Over the last two seasons, Young has posted a discouraging 2-16 record, including an 0-2 start this year. This season, his statistics have done little to bolster confidence in his future as an NFL starter. Young completed just 31 of his 56 attempts, threw no touchdowns, was intercepted three times, and took six sacks during his starting games.
The lackluster performance has prompted the Panthers to turn to veteran Andy Dalton, hoping his experience might offer a steadier hand and better results. Dalton's presence is seen as a much-needed change, yet the shadow of the franchise's troubled history with quarterbacks looms large.
The Panthers' Quarterback Carousel
The struggles of Bryce Young echo those of his predecessors. Baker Mayfield, who was brought in last season, also failed to find success in Carolina. During his stint with the Panthers, Mayfield recorded a disappointing 1-5 record, suffered his worst completion percentage of 57.8, and notched his worst passing success rate of just 36 percent.
Similarly, the Panthers have seen numerous high-profile quarterbacks come and go without long-term success. The last Panthers quarterback to finish a season with a winning record as a starter was Cam Newton in 2017. Since then, the team has cycled through a series of quarterbacks, none managing to replicate the consistency and success Newton once brought. Notably, only Newton and Jake Delhomme have finished seasons with winning records as Carolina starters since 2008.
Success Elsewhere
Adding salt to the wound for Panthers fans is the fact that former quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold are now finding success with their new teams. Mayfield, who went 29-30 as a starter with the Cleveland Browns before his troubled time in Carolina, seems to have rediscovered his form elsewhere.
Reflecting on his experience, Mayfield provides insight into the complexities of the quarterback position. "Obviously mine didn't happen in the same time frame with Bryce, but [being a] quarterback's hard, especially for young guys. When you're not surrounded by the pieces, [you're] not given the opportunity to have success," Mayfield said. His comments strike a chord, as they underline the broader issues that have plagued the Panthers’ quarterback endeavors – a near-constant lack of the right support and fit.
The Right Fit
Mayfield continued, "A lot of the time guys have the talent, they might have the brains, but they don't have the right opportunity, the right fit. I mean, I'm sitting here right now in a way better fit than the other places I've been. And that's not to put other teams down, but it's a matter of the pieces around you, the coaches and for Bryce, a guy that, I can relate to this, finding that belief within yourself again. And he'll get it. His story is far, far from finished."
Mayfield's words offer a glimmer of hope for Young and the Panthers faithful, reflecting a sentiment that the right circumstances could still unlock Young’s potential. However, for now, the Panthers' search for their ideal quarterback continues.
As Dalton steps into the significant challenge of lifting the team, the organization and its fans wait, hopeful yet cautious, for stability and success to return under center. The path ahead remains uncertain, but the resolve to find the right leader remains unwavering.