The Carolina Panthers have been on a turbulent quest to secure a consistent quarterback, a journey fraught with challenges and dashed hopes. Their most recent experiment, Bryce Young, a former No. 1 overall pick, was benched after only 18 starts. This decision comes as a stark indicator of the instability that has plagued the Panthers' quarterback position in recent years.
A Rocky Road for Bryce Young
Bryce Young's tenure as the Panthers' starting quarterback has been marked by struggle and disappointment. In his 18 starts, Young managed to muster a mere 2-16 record over the past two seasons, a statistic that starkly highlights the difficulties he and the team faced. This season alone, Young completed 31 of his 56 attempts, failed to score a touchdown, threw three interceptions, and was sacked six times. With such statistics, the franchise was left with little choice but to reevaluate their options.
Turning to Veteran Experience
In a bid to steady the ship, the Panthers have turned to seasoned veteran Andy Dalton. Dalton brings a wealth of experience and a level-headed approach that the franchise hopes will inject some much-needed stability. The decision reflects a broader trend within the NFL to rely on experienced quarterbacks to mentor young talent and provide a short-term solution while the organization reassesses its long-term strategy.
The Struggles of Former Panthers' Quarterbacks
The Panthers’ quarterback dilemma is further compounded by the success stories of former players such as Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, both of whom are now thriving with their new teams. Mayfield, who endured a particularly rough stint with the Panthers, recorded a dismal 1-5 record during his time in Carolina. His completion percentage of 57.8 and passing success rate of 36 were the worst of his career. Mayfield's resurgence with his new team stands in stark contrast to his time with the Panthers, where he went 29-30 as a starter with the Cleveland Browns before his Carolina tenure.
The Long Shadow of Success
Adding to the Panthers' woes is the fact that the last quarterback to complete a season with a winning record was none other than Cam Newton in 2017. Newton, alongside Jake Delhomme, remains one of the only Panthers' quarterbacks to have achieved a winning record since 2008. This drought underscores the franchise's ongoing struggle to find a reliable and consistent leader under center.
Baker Mayfield's Perspective
Reflecting on his own journey, Baker Mayfield shared insights that resonate with Young's current predicament. "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. 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," Mayfield said. His words echo a broader sentiment in the NFL: talent alone isn't enough; context and support play crucial roles in a quarterback's development.
Mayfield added, "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 perspective provides a glimmer of hope for Young, suggesting that the young quarterback's journey is far from over and that with the right environment, he could yet thrive.
The journey of the Carolina Panthers in search of a consistent quarterback continues, with Bryce Young's recent benching highlighting the ongoing difficulties. With the experience of Andy Dalton and the reflections of those like Baker Mayfield who’ve walked similar paths, the Panthers hope to navigate their way through this challenging period and lay the foundation for future success.