The revolving door that perpetually seems to afflict the Carolina Panthers' quarterback position has once again turned, with Bryce Young becoming the latest casualty in a long line of signal callers who have struggled to find their footing. The former No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft was benched after merely 18 starts, a quick judgment that underscores the unrelenting pressures and challenges faced by young quarterbacks attempting to establish themselves in the NFL.
Young's tenure has been anything but smooth. Over the last two seasons, he has recorded a discouraging 2-16 record, which includes an 0-2 start to the current season. Statistically, the numbers do little to bolster his case for retention; this year alone, he has completed 31 of 56 pass attempts with no touchdowns, three interceptions, and has been sacked six times. These disappointing metrics prompted the Panthers' decision to turn to veteran quarterback Andy Dalton in hopes of stabilizing an otherwise shaky offensive unit.
A Legacy of Struggles
The Panthers' search for a reliable quarterback is not a newfound dilemma. Baker Mayfield, who had a stint with the team, managed a dismal 1-5 record while donning the Panthers’ colors. Mayfield experienced personal lows during his time in Carolina, including his worst career completion percentage at 57.8% and a passing success rate of 36. Contrasting markedly with his tenure in Carolina, Mayfield went 29-30 as a starter with the Cleveland Browns, highlighting his struggles with the Panthers as particularly stark.
Voices of Experience
Baker Mayfield recently reflected on the difficulties faced by quarterbacks like Young when they are not placed in conducive environments for their talents to shine. "Obviously mine didn't happen in the same time frame with Bryce, but [being a] quarterback's hard, especially for young guys," Mayfield 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."
Such insights from veterans like Mayfield offer a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in quarterback development. "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.
Past Glories and Continuing Challenges
This predicament of inconsistent quarterback play has haunted the Panthers for years. Cam Newton is the last Panthers quarterback to finish a season with a winning record, a feat he accomplished in 2017. Since 2008, only Newton and Jake Delhomme have managed to achieve a winning record as starters for the team. Such statistics paint a broader picture of the organization's ongoing struggle to find stability and success under center.
The notion that a change of scenery can rejuvenate a quarterback’s career rings true in the cases of both Mayfield and Sam Darnold, former Panthers who are now seeing success with new teams. The experiences of these quarterbacks underscore the importance of the right fit, system, and support in extracting peak performance from NFL talent.
The decision to bench Bryce Young and substitute him with Andy Dalton could mark yet another chapter in the Panthers' protracted search for quarterback stability. For Young, the benching might serve as a necessary respite, allowing him to regroup and re-strategize away from the relentless scrutiny that accompanies starting duties. Meanwhile, Dalton brings a wealth of experience and a steady hand that might just be what the offense requires to regain its footing.
The future remains uncertain for Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers. However, the pieces of this developing narrative suggest a team still grappling with the age-old quest of finding the elusive franchise quarterback who can restore them to their former glories. Only time will reveal whether Young can reemerge stronger or if the Panthers' relentless search will continue.