Panthers' Quarterback Carousel Continues as Bryce Young is Benched

Panthers' Quarterback Carousel Continues as Bryce Young is Benched

The Carolina Panthers are once again faced with the challenge of finding a stable presence at the quarterback position. With the recent benching of Bryce Young, a former No. 1 overall pick, the Panthers' ongoing struggles in this key role have come into sharp focus.

After just 18 starts, Young's tenure as the Panthers' starting quarterback has been cut short. Over the past two seasons, he has posted a dismal 2-16 record, including an 0-2 start this year. His performance this season has been underwhelming, with Young completing 31 of 56 attempts, no touchdowns, three interceptions, and six sacks.

This significant change has led the Panthers to turn to veteran Andy Dalton in hopes of stabilizing the position. Dalton's experience and past performance may provide the leadership and consistency that the team desperately needs.

The struggle to find a reliable quarterback isn't a new issue for the Panthers. Notably, Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, both former Panthers quarterbacks, are now experiencing success with their new teams. During his time with the Panthers, Mayfield recorded a 1-5 record, his worst completion percentage (57.8), and his worst passing success rate (36%). All of these metrics indicated a poor fit during his Carolina stint.

Reflecting on his own career, Mayfield commented on the difficulties faced by young quarterbacks like Bryce Young. "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," he said.

The last time the Panthers had a quarterback finish the season with a winning record was in 2017, under Cam Newton. Since 2008, Newton and Jake Delhomme remain the only Carolina quarterbacks to achieve a winning record as starters, highlighting the ongoing struggle for the franchise.

Mayfield further elaborated on the importance of the right environment for a quarterback to thrive: "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."

The Panthers' decision to bench Young signals another chapter in their search for a dependable quarterback, a journey that has been fraught with frequent changes and fleeting successes. As Andy Dalton steps into the role, the team and its fans remain hopeful that stability and success may finally be within reach.