For the Carolina Panthers, the quest for a dependable quarterback continues to be an elusive challenge. The departure of Bryce Young from the starting role marks another chapter in this long-running saga. Despite high expectations as a former No. 1 overall pick, Young's tenure as the Panthers' signal caller was brief and turbulent.
In his 18 starts, the young quarterback posted a dismal 2-16 record over the past two seasons, including an 0-2 start this year. His recent numbers paint a stark picture of his struggles: completing 31 of 56 attempts with no touchdowns, three interceptions, and enduring six sacks. With such performance metrics, the Panthers’ decision to bench Young seemed inevitable.
Transitioning to veteran quarterback Andy Dalton marks the latest attempt by the Panthers to stabilize the position. For an organization that has seen fleeting glimpses of quarterback stability, such moves have become all too familiar. Dalton's experience is expected to bring some steadiness to the offense, albeit temporarily.
The situation with Bryce Young brings to mind recent quarterbacks who have found success outside of Carolina. Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, both former Panthers quarterbacks, are enjoying newfound success with their current teams. Mayfield, in particular, has drawn attention with his comments reflecting on his own turbulent journey.
"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 shared.
During his stint with the Panthers, Mayfield himself struggled, managing just a 1-5 record. He also faced issues with his completion percentage (57.8) and passing success rate (36), both of which were career lows. Despite these struggles, Mayfield has since revitalized his career, which he attributes to finding a better fit and more supportive surroundings.
"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," Mayfield added.
Since the departure of Cam Newton, who was the last Panthers quarterback to end a season with a winning record in 2017, the franchise has struggled to find consistency at the position. Newton, along with Jake Delhomme, remains one of the few quarterbacks who have managed to secure a winning record as starters for the Panthers since 2008.
The revolving door at quarterback for Carolina highlights not just the difficulties of finding the right talent but also the challenges of building the right environment for young quarterbacks to flourish. The Panthers’ current reliance on veteran players like Andy Dalton underscores the gap between their recent draft picks and the veteran leadership needed to guide the team. Whether Dalton can provide the spark and stability the Panthers desperately need remains to be seen.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how Bryce Young responds to this setback and whether he can find a better fit in the league, much like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold have. The lessons from their journeys offer a glimmer of hope for Young, whose story, as Mayfield wisely pointed out, is far from finished.