The Carolina Panthers‘ quarterback state of affairs has been removed from constant in current historical past and this 12 months is not any exception, with former No. 1 total choose Bryce Young getting benched just 18 starts into his career. Younger went 2-16 within the final two seasons, together with 0-2 this 12 months earlier than the staff determined to maneuver ahead with veteran Andy Dalton.
The excellent news for Younger is that the final two Panthers quarterbacks to wrestle in Carolina then depart the staff are at the moment thriving of their new conditions.
Former Panthers quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, now on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings, respectively, are each 2-0 to start out the 2024 season.
Mayfield has quite a bit in frequent with the 23-year-old. Not solely did Mayfield spend a while as a starter in Carolina, he’s additionally a former No. 1 total choose who struggled throughout his time in blue and black.
Mayfield expressed positivity concerning Younger’s future and says it is all a few quarterback discovering the proper system.
“Clearly mine did not occur in the identical time-frame with Bryce, however [being a] quarterback’s laborious, particularly for younger guys. Once you’re not surrounded by the items, [you’re] not given the chance to have success,” Mayfield said when requested how he feels about Younger’s present state of affairs. “And so a variety of the time guys have the expertise, they could have the brains, however they do not have the proper alternative, the proper match.”
Mayfield began his NFL profession with the Cleveland Browns, going 29-30 as a starter there, earlier than briefly becoming a member of the Panthers, the place he went 1-5. His worst completion share (57.8), tied for his worst interception share (2.9) and his worst passing success fee (36) got here throughout his time in Carolina. He then spent the remainder of the 2022 season on the Los Angeles Rams, earlier than touchdown along with his present staff.
As somebody who has bounced round and took some time to seek out his proper state of affairs, Mayfield is aware of first hand that being affected person and protracted is essential.
“I imply, I am sitting right here proper now in a approach higher match than the opposite locations I have been,” he stated. “And that is to not put different groups down, nevertheless it’s a matter of the items round you, the coaches and for Bryce, a man that, I can relate to this, discovering that perception inside your self once more. And he’ll get it.”
Mayfield believes Younger, who proper now appears to be like like a first-round bust, can come out the opposite aspect as successful story.
“His story is much, removed from completed,” No. 6 stated.
The trajectory of Panthers quarterbacks appear to be wrestle in Carolina, then depart and begin profitable video games once more, so there may be some hope for Younger.
Earlier than the benching, Younger went 31 of 56 with no touchdowns, three interceptions and 6 sacks this season. Younger has appeared frantic and ill-equipped on the sector, however the Panthers’ issues attain a lot additional than simply the man throwing the ball.
The final Panthers quarterback to complete the 12 months with a profitable file as a starter (min. 2 begins) was Cam Newton in 2017, when he went 9-8. Newton is the one Carolina QB to file a profitable file as a starter (min. 2 begins) since Jake Delhomme in 2008.
