The Carolina Panthers' quarterback saga continues to be a revolving door of trials and tribulations, highlighted by the recent benching of Bryce Young. The former No. 1 overall pick, after just 18 starts, has posted a dismal 2-16 record over the past two seasons. This year has been particularly challenging for Young, who has completed only 31 of his 56 attempts without a single touchdown, while racking up three interceptions and taking six sacks in just two games.
In response to these struggles, the Panthers have turned to veteran quarterback Andy Dalton in hopes of stabilizing their offensive unit. The move echoes a sentiment of searching for consistency that has plagued the Panthers for years.
The Quest for Stability
The plight of the Panthers' quarterbacks is not new. Notably, Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, both of whom had stints with the team, are now experiencing success with new franchises. Mayfield's tenure with the Panthers was particularly forgettable, where he recorded a 1-5 record. His stint featured his worst completion percentage at 57.8% and his lowest passing success rate at 36%. Interestingly, Mayfield fared better with the Cleveland Browns, going 29-30 as a starter.
Baker Mayfield himself reflected on the challenges of being a young quarterback in the league. "Obviously mine didn't happen in the same time frame with Bryce, but [being a] quarterback's hard, especially for young guys," said Mayfield. "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."
The Bryce Young Conundrum
Young’s struggles in Carolina underscore the complexity of developing a young quarterback without the ideal support system. Mayfield shared his perspective on this, adding, "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."
It's a sentiment that resonates deeply within the Panthers organization as they look back at the last time they had a quarterback with a winning record for an entire season. That was in 2017 with Cam Newton, who, along with Jake Delhomme, stands as one of the only Carolina quarterbacks to boast such achievement since 2008.
Future Uncertainty
The decision to bench Bryce Young and insert Andy Dalton raises many questions about the future direction of the franchise. Dalton brings a wealth of experience, but at 35 years old, he is not the long-term solution. Whether Young will find his footing and return to claim the starting role remains to be seen. The Panthers’ decision-makers will need to evaluate their roster, coaching, and overall strategy to foster an environment where a young quarterback can thrive.
For now, the Panthers are left to ponder what needs to change to break their cycle of quarterback instability. As Baker Mayfield correctly pointed out, it’s not only about the talent and intelligence of the quarterback, but about the combination of support, opportunity, and fit within the team structure. With this in mind, the Panthers’ quest for a franchise quarterback remains as pressing and elusive as ever.