The Carolina Panthers have faced years of losing, which led to many coaches coming and going. They traded up to get the first pick in the 2023 NFL draft, choosing Bryce Young as their future quarterback.
Similarly, the Washington Commanders, after years of struggles, hired experienced coach Dan Quinn and selected Jayden Daniels with the second pick in the draft for the same goal.
While Daniels has shown promise and the Commanders seem to be improving, the Panthers have benched Young and are having a tough time in rookie coach Dave Canales’ first year. These two teams will meet on Sunday, reflecting very different paths—one aiming for the playoffs, and the other feeling lost and without much hope.
“There are a lot of differences between the teams,” said Washington safety Jeremy Chinn, who played his first four seasons with Carolina. “I don’t want to compare them, but I’m really glad to be here.”
The Commanders (4-2) are demonstrating how quickly a team can improve when they find the right quarterback, similar to what Houston did with C.J. Stroud, who was drafted right after Young.
Quinn, who was with the Seattle team that won a Super Bowl with Russell Wilson, has also coached Matt Ryan and the Falcons to the Super Bowl, and has worked with Dak Prescott in Dallas. He understands how crucial the quarterback position is.
“That’s the key position that greatly influences the game’s outcome,” Quinn said. “Having an excellent quarterback here is fantastic.”
Six-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner, who was part of the Seattle team that won the Super Bowl in 2014 with Quinn and Wilson, is now with Washington.
He said that finding the right quarterback “ignites not only the team but the city when you got somebody that you know is going to consistently be there, you know is going to be the future.” Now, looking at the Panthers.
Since 2018, they have a record of 32-73, the worst in the NFL during that time, and they haven’t had a winning season since 2017.
They benched Young just two games into this season, replacing him with 36-year-old Andy Dalton. After a win against Las Vegas, Carolina has lost three games in a row and is now at 1-5.
“Just keep playing,” receiver Diontae Johnson said. “Everybody can’t do everybody else’s job, so if we don’t handle our own assignments and play as one, stuff like this is going to keep happening. We are going to keep having the same feeling.”
Canales, the fifth head coach for the Panthers since Ron Rivera was fired in 2019—after Perry Fewell, Matt Rhule, Steve Wilks, and Frank Reich—decided to bench Young after he threw three interceptions and no touchdowns.
“We all want to win right now,” Canales said recently. “If we can start it off with attitude and effort, things that we can control, then we can continue to grow.”
Quinn was chosen to replace Rivera with the Commanders after new owner Josh Harris brought in Adam Peters as general manager. He hesitated to name Daniels the starter until after a couple of preseason games.
Daniels has since emerged as a favorite for offensive rookie of the year and is the only player to pass for 1,400 yards and run for 300 in his first six games.
Daniels, who considers Young one of his closest friends, said it’s a tough situation and he has tried to offer whatever support he can, whether spiritual or otherwise.
“I just told him I’m always praying for him. I’m always here to talk to him,” Daniels said. “Keep your faith. It is all going to work out.”
Washington hasn’t had a winning season since 2015 and hasn’t won a playoff game since 2005. Now there is a lot of hope for both the short and long term for a team that’s currently at the top of the NFC East and having a lot more fun than the Panthers.
“It’s always fun to win,” said running back Brian Robinson Jr., who is hoping to play after missing the last game due to a knee injury. “Coming off losing seasons, it’s always good to start off hot. But more than anything, we just want to keep it going.”
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