In the ongoing saga of the Carolina Panthers’ quest for stability at the quarterback position, the team once again finds itself at a crossroads. The franchise’s most recent experiment with Bryce Young, a former No. 1 overall pick, has been cut short after just 18 starts. Young’s tenure has been marred by struggles, culminating in an underwhelming 2-16 record over the last two seasons, which includes an 0-2 start this year.
Young’s most recent performances provide a stark illustration of his difficulties. This season, he has completed only 31 of 56 attempts, failed to register a touchdown, and thrown three interceptions while being sacked six times. These stats highlight the considerable challenges Young faced, leading to his benching.
Andy Dalton Steps In
With Bryce Young sidelined, the Panthers are turning to veteran Andy Dalton in hopes of halting their slide. Dalton's extensive experience and steady hand are seen as critical to stabilizing the team's fortunes, at least in the short term. The change underscores the Panthers’ ongoing search for a dependable presence under center, a search that has spanned several seasons and multiple quarterbacks.
Past Quarterback Struggles
The disappointments with Young follow a pattern for the Panthers, who have cycled through several quarterbacks in recent years. Baker Mayfield, who had a brief stint with the team, recorded a dismal 1-5 record. His time with Carolina was characterized by the lowest completion percentage (57.8) and worst passing success rate (36) of his career. Following his departure, Mayfield has found renewed success with his new team, suggesting that fit and support play crucial roles in a quarterback's performance.
A Broad Perspective
Reflecting on Young’s situation, Baker Mayfield shared, "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 comments hint at broader issues within the Panthers’ organization, suggesting that systemic problems may contribute to the ongoing quarterback carousel. Mayfield himself has experienced a career revival, noting, "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."
A Look Back at Consistency
To find a season where a Panthers quarterback finished with a winning record as a starter, one must look back to Cam Newton in 2017. Since then, only Newton and Jake Delhomme have managed to achieve a winning record as Carolina's signal callers. This long gap emphasizes the persistent instability that has plagued the position for over a decade.
As the Panthers move forward with Andy Dalton at the helm, they do so with the hope of finding fleeting stability in a position that has been a revolving door. Dalton's experience and composed approach will be tested as he attempts to turn around the Panthers' fortunes. The challenges he faces are significant, given the team’s historical difficulties in ensuring their quarterbacks have the environment needed to succeed.
The story of the Carolina Panthers and their quarterbacks remains an evolving one, marked by more questions than answers. The organization’s ability to address the systemic issues raised by former players like Mayfield could determine whether they can finally find sustainable success at the quarterback position. For now, the focus will be on what Dalton can bring to the table, potentially providing a glimmer of hope for a franchise long in search of stability and success.