Carolina Panthers Struggle to Find Stability at Quarterback Position
The search for consistency under center continues for the Carolina Panthers as they navigate another turbulent season. Despite hopes pinned on Bryce Young, a former No. 1 overall pick, the team has yet to see stability in the quarterback position. Young found himself benched after just 18 starts, marking another chapter in the Panthers' ongoing quarterback saga.
Bryce Young's brief tenure as the starter was marked by a 2-16 record over the last two seasons. His current campaign hasn’t been any kinder, with an 0-2 start, highlighted by 31 completions in 56 attempts, void of touchdowns but tainted with three interceptions and six sacks. Such statistics paint a grim picture for a franchise in desperate need of a reliable leader on the field.
Due to these challenges, the Panthers have now turned to veteran quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton's experience brings a sense of hope and a stabilizing presence, yet fans are all too aware of how fleeting such hopes can be. Historically, the Panthers have seen star quarterbacks like Cam Newton succeed, but replicating such success has proven difficult in recent years.
As if to accentuate the volatility at the quarterback position, Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, former Panthers’ quarterbacks, are now thriving with their new teams. Mayfield, whose record with the Panthers stood at a dismal 1-5, struggled visibly. His completion percentage plummeted to a career-low 57.8, and his passing success rate hit 36. Yet, in a different environment, both Mayfield and Darnold seem rejuvenated, highlighting the importance of fit and surroundings in a quarterback’s performance.
Reflecting on his experience, Baker Mayfield shared some insightful thoughts on the nature of the position and the challenges 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," he said. "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's empathy towards Bryce Young's situation speaks volumes about the intricate dynamics that govern the success of quarterbacks. "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 added.
The history of the Panthers' quarterbacks underscores the challenges facing the team. The last time a Panthers quarterback finished a season with a winning record was in 2017, led by Cam Newton. Since 2008, only Newton and Jake Delhomme have managed to achieve winning records as starters for Carolina.
As the Panthers pivot to Dalton, fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching to see if this latest adjustment will bring about the needed stability. Meanwhile, Bryce Young’s story, as Mayfield aptly put it, is far from over. The young quarterback has the talent and the intelligence, but finding the right circumstances to flourish remains the key challenge.
The Panthers' hunt for a steady and reliable presence under center continues, and with each shift and change, hope remains that they will eventually find the right fit to lead the team back to its former glory. The task is daunting, but the resolve among players and management is clear: to finally end the cycle of inconsistency and bring sustainable success to the quarterback position in Carolina.