In recent seasons, the Carolina Panthers have struggled to establish a consistent presence at the quarterback position. The search for a dependable signal-caller continues as the team navigates yet another shift under center. Bryce Young, once a hopeful solution after being picked first overall in the draft, has now found himself on the bench after just 18 starts.
Young's tenure thus far has been less than stellar. Over the last two seasons, he has managed a dismal 2-16 record, including an 0-2 start this year. His stats for this season have been particularly concerning, completing only 31 out of 56 attempts with no touchdowns, three interceptions, and experiencing six sacks. Such performance metrics have led the Panthers to make the difficult decision of benching the young quarterback, turning instead to veteran Andy Dalton to lead the team.
A History of Struggles
This is not the first time the Panthers have faced instability at the quarterback position. Baker Mayfield, who also wore the Panthers’ jersey, struggled during his brief spell with the team. Recording a 1-5 record, Mayfield posted career-low completion percentages and passing success rates. These struggles were a stark contrast to his more successful periods with other teams, such as the Cleveland Browns, where he had a more balanced 29-30 record as a starter.
Mayfield's reflections on his time with the Panthers shed light on the challenges faced by quarterbacks in an often unforgiving sport. "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," said Mayfield.
Finding the Right Fit
The story of a quarterback's success often hinges on finding the right environment. Mayfield concurs, stating, "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."
As Mayfield suggests, the journey of a quarterback includes battling for the right circumstances that allow them to thrive. For Bryce Young, this could mean that his story with the Panthers is merely at an early chapter, one that has plenty of room for development and eventual success, provided he finds the conducive environment that Mayfield speaks of.
The Panthers' Quarterback Carousel
The Panthers' history with quarterbacks has been turbulent, with capable players like Cam Newton and Jake Delhomme being the only ones to put up consistent, winning records since 2008. Newton, the last Panthers quarterback to finish a season with a winning record, accomplished this in 2017. The lack of stability has invariably affected the team’s performance, prompting frequent changes and an ongoing search for reliability under center.
Currently, the mantle has been passed to Andy Dalton, whose experience and veteran presence will ideally provide the much-needed stability for the Panthers. Yet, the team and its fans are well aware that the long-term solution still hinges on cultivating young talent like Bryce Young. As Dalton steps in, the objective remains clear: develop a winning system that can offer young quarterbacks like Young an environment conducive to their growth and success.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on how Dalton performs and whether the Panthers can finally secure the stability they have long sought at the quarterback position. Meanwhile, Bryce Young's journey is closely followed, with hopes that he, like Mayfield, will eventually find the right fit to showcase his talent effectively.