The Carolina Panthers' Ongoing Quarterback Conundrum
The Carolina Panthers have faced persistent challenges in identifying and nurturing a quarterback who can lead the team to consistent success. This issue was highlighted once again with the recent benching of Bryce Young, a former first overall draft pick, after just 18 starts.
Young's tenure with the Panthers has been fraught with difficulties. Over the past two seasons, he managed just a 2-16 record, and this year's campaign started no better. With an 0-2 start, Young completed 31 of 56 pass attempts, throwing no touchdowns, but suffering three interceptions and being sacked six times. These struggles have led the Panthers to turn to veteran Andy Dalton as their new quarterback, hoping his experience can stabilize the team's performance.
Reflecting on his own time with the Panthers, former quarterback Baker Mayfield weighed in on the pressures faced by young quarterbacks. "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 remarked.
Mayfield's words resonate, given his own turbulent stint with the Panthers. In his brief time with the team, he recorded a meager 1-5 record. His performance metrics were equally disappointing, registering his worst completion percentage of 57.8 and a dismal passing success rate of 36. This stood in stark contrast to his earlier career with the Cleveland Browns, where he maintained a 29-30 record as a starter.
"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," Mayfield explained. "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."
The struggles of Carolina’s recent quarterbacks bring to light a deeper issue within the franchise. Since Cam Newton's successful 2017 season, where he became the last Panthers quarterback to finish with a winning record, the team has cycled through multiple players under center. It's worth noting that since 2008, only Newton and Jake Delhomme have achieved winning records as Panthers' starters.
Interestingly, both Mayfield and another former Panthers quarterback, Sam Darnold, have found new success with their respective teams. This turn of events raises questions about the Panthers' ability to cultivate and support their quarterbacks effectively. For a franchise yearning to return to the glory days of past playoff runs, the quarterback position remains a significant hurdle.
As Bryce Young's career progresses, it remains to be seen whether he will find the right environment and support to flourish, be it with the Panthers or another team. His early career struggles mirror the broader instability that has characterized Carolina's approach to the quarterback position in recent years.
The Panthers' decision to bring in Dalton signifies a desire to inject immediate experience and leadership into the team. However, it underscores a longer-term challenge that the franchise must address to break the cycle of quarterback instability. Developing a consistent and effective strategy around their signal-caller will be key to restoring success and stability in the coming seasons.
The narrative of the Carolina Panthers continues to evolve, but the overarching theme remains clear: without a stable and successful quarterback, the team's aspirations will remain unfulfilled. With veteran leadership now at the helm and a hopeful eye on the future, the Panthers must navigate this crucial juncture in their quest for consistency and excellence.