Over the past several seasons, the Carolina Panthers have struggled to find stability at the quarterback position. The team's plight has been underscored by their recent handling of Bryce Young, a former No. 1 overall pick, who was benched after just 18 starts.
Young’s stats mirror the tough times he's faced on the field. With a 2-16 record across two seasons, including an 0-2 start for this season, the stats reveal a quarterback besieged by difficulties. His 2023 performance—completing 31 of 56 passes with zero touchdowns, three interceptions, and taking six sacks—illustrates the challenges he has encountered.
Bryce Young’s Struggles
Young’s struggles have seen him transition to the bench, with the Panthers turning to veteran quarterback Andy Dalton to provide some much-needed experience and stability. This decision highlights the ongoing quest for consistency in Carolina’s quarterback room. Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, both erstwhile Panthers quarterbacks, are finding success with their new teams, adding another layer of frustration for Panthers fans.
Mayfield, who now appears to be in a better situation, had a notably difficult tenure with the Panthers. He managed only a 1-5 record and posted his worst completion percentage (57.8) and passing success rate (36) of his career in Carolina. Reflecting on his own challenges, Mayfield offers some insight that seems very relevant to Young's current predicament: "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."
A Perspective from Mayfield
Mayfield’s recent remarks resonate when considering Young’s situation. "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."
Reflecting on the past successes for the Panthers at the quarterback position, it becomes clear just how elusive a consistent and winning quarterback has been. The last time a Panthers quarterback finished a season with a winning record was back in 2017 with Cam Newton. Since 2008, only Newton and Jake Delhomme have held winning records as starting quarterbacks for the franchise.
The Challenges Ahead
The Panthers’ ongoing search for stability at the quarterback position underscores a recurring theme in the NFL: the difficult balance between talent and the right circumstances. Young's struggles illustrate the importance of the broader team context in determining a quarterback's success. As Mayfield and other former Panthers quarterbacks find success elsewhere, it raises critical questions about the team's overall approach and the pieces in place to support their most critical position.
As Andy Dalton takes the reins, the Panthers and their fans are undoubtedly hopeful for a turnaround. But the recent history highlights that developing a young quarterback amidst instability is a formidable challenge, demanding a perfect confluence of talent, support, and opportunity. Bryce Young's journey with the Panthers may have hit a rough patch, but as Mayfield suggests, this is far from the end of his story. The Panthers, meanwhile, continue their quest for the consistent quarterbacking solution that has eluded them for years.