The Carolina Panthers' quarterback conundrum continues to plague the team, as consistency under center remains elusive. Bryce Young, who was once heralded as a cornerstone of the franchise following his selection as the first overall pick, found himself on the bench after just 18 starts, posting a dismal 2-16 record over two seasons. An 0-2 start to the current year only compounded his struggles.
Young's performance this season has been particularly concerning, completing just 31 of his 56 passing attempts without a single touchdown. Instead, he's thrown three interceptions and been sacked six times. In an effort to right the ship, the Panthers have turned to the experienced Andy Dalton to take over as the starting quarterback.
The struggles of Panthers' quarterbacks are not limited to Bryce Young. Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, who both had stints as the team's signal-caller, have found new life with other franchises. Mayfield, during his time with Carolina, managed a meager 1-5 record, marking his lowest completion percentage (57.8) and worst passing success rate (36) in his career. This was a stark contrast to his tenure with the Cleveland Browns, where he went 29-30 as a starter.
Reflecting on his experience, Mayfield sympathized with Bryce Young's challenges. "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," Mayfield said. "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."
Baker Mayfield's resurgence with his current team highlights the importance of the right environment for a quarterback's success. "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," Mayfield added.
The Panthers' struggles with finding a stable quarterback date back several years. The last signal-caller to lead Carolina to a winning season was Cam Newton in 2017. Since 2008, only Newton and Jake Delhomme have managed to end a season with a winning record as the starting quarterback for the team.
As Andy Dalton takes the reins, the Panthers hope his veteran presence can steer them back to competitiveness. With a challenging history at the quarterback position, stability and success under center have been fleeting. Dalton's experience and leadership will be critical as the team looks to chart a new course and break free from the cycle of quarterback turmoil.