The Carolina Panthers' Quarterback Struggles Continue
The Carolina Panthers' quest for a reliable quarterback remains a contentious issue as they wrestle with inconsistency at the most pivotal position. The latest casualty in this ongoing saga is Bryce Young, a former No. 1 overall pick, who found himself on the bench after only 18 starts.
Young’s tenure with the Panthers has been tumultuous. Over the past two seasons, he recorded a disappointing 2-16 record, which includes an 0-2 start this year. His performance on the field has been lackluster, epitomized by completing just 31 of 56 attempts this season, without throwing a single touchdown, compounded by three interceptions and suffering six sacks.
In the wake of Young’s underperformance, the Panthers turned to seasoned veteran Andy Dalton, hoping his experience might provide the stability the team desperately needs. However, the Panthers’ rotating door of quarterbacks in recent years demonstrates a challenge that goes beyond individual player capabilities.
Former Panthers quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold are now experiencing resurgences with their new teams, underlining the disconnect between player potential and organizational fit in Carolina. Mayfield’s stint with the Panthers was especially turbulent; during his tenure, he endured a 1-5 record, marked by the lowest completion percentage (57.8) and passing success rate (36) of his career.
Despite these struggles, Mayfield has found success elsewhere, previously holding a 29-30 starting record with the Cleveland Browns. Reflecting on his and Young’s difficulties in Carolina, Mayfield offered insights that speak volumes about the challenges quarterbacks face in the league. "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," he said.
Mayfield's candid thoughts underscore an issue that has haunted the Panthers for over a decade. The franchise has struggled to find the right fit at quarterback since Cam Newton, who remains the last Carolina quarterback to finish a season with a winning record back in 2017. Since 2008, only Newton and Jake Delhomme have managed to achieve a winning record as starting quarterbacks for the Panthers.
Mayfield’s own resurgence provides a stark contrast to his time with the Panthers and offers a poignant reminder of what can happen when a talented player finds the right environment. "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."
The organization’s struggle to support their quarterbacks adequately over the years suggests deeper systemic issues. Successful quarterbacks often reveal a symbiosis between their skills and the team structure, something the Panthers have repeatedly failed to establish. The transition to Andy Dalton symbolizes yet another attempt to find a temporary fix, but without addressing the underlying issues, the cycle of inconsistency seems likely to continue.
For Panthers fans, the turbulence at the quarterback position remains a source of frustration and hope. The potential glimpses shown by Young in his brief tenure could still materialize into something substantial, provided he finds the support and fit that other quarterbacks have acknowledged as crucial for success. As the Panthers move forward, how they navigate their quarterback conundrum will be critical in shaping the franchise's future.