The Carolina Panthers have long been on a quest to find a consistent and effective quarterback. This season, their struggles have persisted, and the team has now benched Bryce Young, a former No. 1 overall pick, after just 18 starts.
Young, in his short tenure, unfortunately, posted a discouraging 2-16 record over the last two seasons, including an 0-2 start this year. This lackluster performance has severely impacted the Panthers' efforts to build a competitive squad around him. Over these initial games of the season, Young managed to complete 31 of 56 attempts with zero touchdowns, three interceptions, and six sacks. Such statistics underscore the challenges he has faced in adapting to the NFL and achieving success under center for Carolina.
A Turn to Experience
With Young struggling, the Panthers have decided to turn to seasoned veteran Andy Dalton in hopes of stabilizing their quarterback situation. The veteran presence of Dalton is expected to bring some much-needed stability and leadership to the Panthers' offense, although it remains to be seen how this change will impact their season.
Previous Struggles
The Panthers’ quarterback woes are not limited to Bryce Young. Former Carolina quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold have since found new opportunities and are thriving with their respective teams. Mayfield, for instance, recorded a dismal 1-5 record during his time with the Panthers. His tenure in Carolina saw him with the worst completion percentage of his career at 57.8% and his lowest passing success rate at 36.
Despite his struggles in Carolina, Mayfield's overall career includes a 29-30 record as a starter with the Cleveland Browns, a stark contrast that demonstrates how context and team dynamics can significantly influence a quarterback's performance.
Voices from the Field
Baker Mayfield himself reflected on the challenges faced by quarterbacks, especially younger ones who may not be surrounded by the right pieces or given the proper opportunities to succeed. "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," commented Mayfield, shedding light on the struggles Young might be experiencing.
Mayfield continued, sharing insights on his own career and offering a message of hope for Young. "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."
Looking Back
The last time a Panthers quarterback finished the season with a winning record as a starter was back in 2017 with Cam Newton, a figure who remains influential in the franchise’s recent history. Newton, along with Jake Delhomme, are the only Carolina quarterbacks to achieve a winning record as starters since 2008, highlighting the difficulties the franchise has faced in securing lasting talent at the position.
As fans and analysts look to the future, the hope is that the Panthers can find the right mix of talent, coaching, and support to allow their quarterbacks to thrive, whether that's with Bryce Young, Andy Dalton, or another prospect waiting in the wings. The journey to that ideal setup, however, continues to be a challenging path for the franchise.