The Carolina Panthers have found themselves in a perennial struggle to find a consistent quarterback. This season, the spotlight is on Bryce Young, a former No. 1 overall pick, who has been benched after just 18 starts.
Young's tenure with the Panthers has been rocky at best. Over the last two seasons, he has posted a 2-16 record, including an 0-2 start this year. Young's stats this season leave much to be desired, with 31 completions from 56 attempts, no touchdowns, three interceptions, and six sacks.
As a result, the Panthers have turned to veteran Andy Dalton to fill the quarterback position, hoping his experience might stabilize the team. The decision to bench Young marks yet another chapter in the Panthers' ongoing quarterback saga, a journey marked by disappointment and unmet expectations.
Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold: Past and Present
The Panthers' recent history with quarterbacks reads like a cautionary tale. Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, both former Panthers quarterbacks, have found renewed success with their current teams. Mayfield, who recorded a dismal 1-5 record during his time with the Panthers, struggled with his worst completion percentage (57.8) and worst passing success rate (36). His stint with the team was forgettable, to say the least, but he has shown a resurgence in his performance with a new team.
Reflecting on his time with the Panthers, Mayfield acknowledged the difficulties of being a quarterback, particularly for young players. "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.
He continued, "And so 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."
The Struggles of Bryce Young
Young's struggles highlight a broader challenge faced by the Panthers. Mayfield, speaking from personal experience, emphasized the importance of the right environment for young quarterbacks. "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 remarked.
The Panthers' quest for a reliable quarterback stretches back several years. The last time a Panthers quarterback finished a season with a winning record as a starter was Cam Newton in 2017. Newton, along with Jake Delhomme, remains one of the few Carolina quarterbacks to achieve a winning record as starters since 2008.
The Future with Andy Dalton
Now, with Andy Dalton at the helm, the Panthers hope to turn a new page. Dalton's experience and veteran presence are seen as crucial to guiding the team through turbulent times. Whether this move pays off remains to be seen, but Dalton's professional record offers a glimmer of hope for the struggling franchise.
The Panthers' continuous quarterback carousel underscores the challenging nature of finding the right fit for the team. With Young on the bench and Dalton on the field, the coming weeks will be critical in shaping the Panthers' season and their long-term strategy at the quarterback position.
As the dramas of the gridiron unfold, the Panthers and their fans can only hope that stability and success are on the horizon, perhaps learning from past struggles to forge a more promising future.