The Carolina Panthers' quarterback conundrum continues to baffle fans and analysts alike. The franchise has struggled for years to find a consistent performer to lead the team from under center, and recent events have only highlighted these ongoing challenges. Bryce Young, touted as a savior when he was picked first overall, has now been benched after just 18 starts.
Bryce Young's Struggles
Bryce Young's tenure with the Panthers has been far from ideal. Over the past two seasons, he managed a 2-16 record, including an uninspiring 0-2 start this year. This season alone, Young completed only 31 of his 56 pass attempts, with no touchdowns, three interceptions, and six sacks to his name. These numbers paint a grim picture of a quarterback unable to adapt to the rigors of the NFL.
The team's decision to bench Young so early in his career exemplifies the broader issue of the Panthers' inability to cultivate and sustain quarterback talent. The former No. 1 overall pick has not had the sort of environment that might allow him to flourish.
Veteran Leadership with Andy Dalton
In a bid for stability, the Panthers have turned to veteran quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton's experience in the NFL provides a stark contrast to Young's fledgling career. However, it remains to be seen whether this change will yield the desired results or merely be a stop-gap measure until a more permanent solution is found.
Past efforts to stabilize the quarterback position have also fallen short. Notably, Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, who had brief and unremarkable stints with the Panthers, are now finding success with new teams. Mayfield, in particular, had a troubling record with the Panthers, completing just 57.8% of his passes and achieving a dismal 36 passing success rate. In his brief time, he managed only a 1-5 record.
Baker Mayfield Reflects on His Time with the Panthers
Discussing his own challenges in Carolina, Baker Mayfield offered some insights that resonate with Bryce 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's reflections highlight a recurring theme for the Panthers—an environment that seems less conducive to nurturing 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 added.
Panthers' Historical Quarterback Woes
The Panthers' struggles at quarterback are not new. The last time a Panthers quarterback finished a season with a winning record as a starter was Cam Newton in 2017. Since 2008, only Newton and Jake Delhomme have managed to achieve a winning record as starters. This long-term issue points toward systemic problems within the organization's strategy or management when it comes to quarterbacks.
As the Panthers continue to search for the right formula, the pressure mounts. Fans and stakeholders alike hope that the franchise can break free from this cycle of inconsistency and find a long-term solution at quarterback. Until then, the likes of Andy Dalton will be tasked with steering the ship, while the potential of young talents like Bryce Young remains in a state of limbo.
The Carolina Panthers are caught in an unforgiving cycle, constantly striving to find the right quarterback to lead them back to prominence. Whether Bryce Young, Andy Dalton, or some future prospect will eventually break this cycle remains to be seen. For now, the Panthers must navigate their present challenges with an eye on creating a more supportive and successful environment for their quarterbacks.