Bryce Young Mirrors Baker Mayfield’s Journey with the Panthers
Bryce Young’s path with the Carolina Panthers is starting to evoke memories of Baker Mayfield’s tumultuous tenure in Charlotte.
A Quarterback Carousel in Carolina
Since the departure of Cam Newton, the Panthers have struggled to find stability at the quarterback position. Teddy Bridgewater offered a brief reprieve, but a series of underwhelming reclamation projects followed. Now, Young is stepping into the spotlight, showing promise as a potential franchise quarterback, a notion that was uncertain for a significant stretch of the season.
The comparisons to Mayfield—who had a rough stint with the Panthers before finding success with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—have surfaced. An insider has suggested that Young’s trajectory is beginning to mirror that of Mayfield’s, hinting at a narrative of redemption.
The Rising Star and His Predecessor
Young’s experience in Carolina has not been devoid of challenges, much like Mayfield’s. Mayfield, once a highly-touted first overall pick, faced struggles that led to his release from the Panthers mid-season in 2021. He found new life with the Los Angeles Rams and is now in the MVP conversation with the Buccaneers. While Young does not yet have the same extensive track record, the parallels are evident: both players are immensely talented yet have faced difficulties in the same organization.
Scott Fowler from the Charlotte Observer drew attention to the commonalities, stating, “Young and Mayfield are vertically-challenged former No. 1 overall picks who won the Heisman Trophy in college, then experienced numerous ups and downs in the pros without ever wavering in the belief that they were pretty d**n good.”
Learning from Past Mistakes
Fowler further emphasized the organizational challenges both quarterbacks encountered. Mayfield’s talent was often overshadowed by mismanagement, a fate that initially struck Young as well. However, the tide appears to be shifting for Young, who is showing signs of growth and improvement in his game.
“Mayfield, remember, has a five-year head start on his pro career. He entered the NFL in 2018, while Young started his in 2023. But at least we can see there’s a possibility of that now,” Fowler noted. The stakes are high for the Panthers; they must ensure they do not repeat the mistakes made during Mayfield’s brief tenure.
The Future of the Panthers’ Offense
As Young continues to find his footing, Carolina fans can only hope that he will emulate Mayfield’s resurgence elsewhere—except this time, it will be in a Panthers uniform. The organization’s future hinges on nurturing Young’s potential, as failure to support him could lead to yet another cycle of unmet expectations with another rookie quarterback.
With the momentum building, Young’s journey in Carolina may yet prove that he is the talented quarterback the franchise has been searching for, capable of thriving in the right environment.
