The Carolina Panthers continue to grapple with achieving stability at the quarterback position, a challenge that has plagued the franchise for several seasons. Bryce Young, the former No. 1 overall pick, was benched after an underwhelming performance over 18 starts. Young's tenure with the Panthers saw a grim 2-16 record spanning two seasons, including an 0-2 start this year.
This season, Young's statistics were particularly concerning. Completing only 31 of his 56 attempts, he threw three interceptions and suffered six sacks, without managing to score a single touchdown. Such struggles have led the Panthers to reconsider their quarterback strategy, turning now to veteran Andy Dalton in hopes of reviving their season.
Baker Mayfield's Perspective
Baker Mayfield, himself no stranger to challenges at the quarterback position, reflected on Young's plight with a sense of empathy and understanding. "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 stated.
Mayfield's own journey with the Panthers was marked by its share of difficulties. During his time in Carolina, he recorded a disappointing 1-5 record, the lowest completion percentage of his career at 57.8%, and a passing success rate of just 36%. Despite these setbacks, Mayfield has found success with his current team, an experience he believes underscores the importance of fit and opportunity. "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 asserted.
Challenges in Carolina
Mayfield's experience with the Panthers is a microcosm of the broader quarterback issues the team has faced. Since 2008, only Cam Newton and Jake Delhomme have finished a season with a winning record as starters. The last quarterback to achieve this feat was Newton in 2017, highlighting a significant period of instability and underperformance in the franchise's history.
The current shift to Andy Dalton represents another attempt to find a consistent and effective quarterback. Dalton, with his wealth of experience, offers hope for a team desperate for foundational stability. However, the road ahead remains uncertain.
A Look Back at Past Quarterbacks
The struggles of Bryce Young and Baker Mayfield with the Panthers cannot be examined in isolation. Before them, Sam Darnold also had a challenging stint with the team but is now thriving elsewhere, echoing Mayfield's experience. This pattern suggests that the issues in Carolina may be organizational, rather than solely dependent on the quarterbacks themselves.
These observations bring to light a severe need for structural review and possible changes within the Panthers’ organization. Finding the right fit, not only at quarterback but across the team's structure, may offer a pathway out of the current cycle of underperformance.
In the interim, the spotlight remains intensely focused on how well Andy Dalton can execute under center. For fans, players, and the organization alike, there is a sense of urgency to turn the tide and establish a new era of success.