Panthers' Quarterback Struggles Continue as Bryce Young Benchmarks New Low
The Carolina Panthers seem to be in a perpetual search for consistency at the quarterback position. The latest chapter in this saga involves Bryce Young, a former No. 1 overall pick, who has been benched after just 18 starts. Young's performance over the last two seasons has been far from encouraging, posting a stark 2-16 record. This year already sees him with an 0-2 start, underlining the difficulty he has faced in adjusting to the NFL.
Young's on-field struggles are tangible. This season, he completed only 31 of 56 attempts without scoring a single touchdown while throwing three interceptions and being sacked six times. The numbers tell a harsh story of a quarterback struggling to find his rhythm and effectiveness in the league.
Andy Dalton Steps In
In an effort to stabilize their offense, the Panthers have turned to veteran Andy Dalton. Dalton brings years of experience to the table, and the hope is that he can provide the leadership and poise needed for a team that has long been missing consistency in the quarterback position.
Former Panthers Signal-Callers Thriving Elsewhere
The struggles of the Panthers' quarterback situation stand in stark contrast to the recent successes of former Carolina quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold with their new teams. Mayfield, who recorded a dismal 1-5 record with the Panthers, is now reviving his career elsewhere. His tenure in Carolina was marked by his worst completion percentage (57.8) and passing success rate (36). Despite these setbacks, Mayfield has found a better fit and appears to be flourishing.
"Obviously mine didn't happen in the same time frame with Bryce," Mayfield remarked, reflecting on his time with the Panthers. "[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."
Darnold has also found new success since leaving Carolina, further highlighting the enigmatic struggles of the Panthers in maximizing the potential of their quarterbacks.
The Long Search for Consistency
The Panthers' search for a dependable starting quarterback dates back years. The last quarterback to finish a season with a winning record as a starter was Cam Newton in 2017. Newton, along with Jake Delhomme, are the only Carolina quarterbacks to achieve a winning record as starters since 2008. This prolonged period of instability at such a critical position has undoubtedly impacted the team's overall performance and prospects.
Mayfield's thoughts on Young encapsulate the broader challenges young quarterbacks face in difficult environments. "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," he said.
Future of the Panthers
As Bryce Young takes a step back and Andy Dalton steps up, the Panthers are once again at a familiar crossroads, hoping that the veteran's experience can steer the team in the right direction. The organization and its fans remain hopeful that these turbulent times will ultimately give way to a more stable and successful future. Yet, the narrative remains one of a franchise haunted by the lack of a consistent, reliable hand at quarterback.