Carolina Panthers pick Bryce Young as their starting quarterback. What do we know?
The Carolina Panthers have decided who the man in the middle will be, and it seems that he’s preparing for the challenge with good old-fashioned hard work.
Just because you might be the No. 1 pick in an NFL Draft doesn’t automatically mean that you will get the starting spot on the team that selects you. With that in mind, the former Alabama star has been given the key to the car. What he does with that responsibility will be interesting to see.
Carolina Panthers are going with Bryce Young
Rather than leave things up in the air, Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich left no doubt about who will be the team’s starting quarterback when Week 1 of the 2023-24 NFL season rolls around. You might know that until this point, speculation was rife about who would win the starting job between 2023 No. 1 pick Bryce Young and 12-year NFL veteran Andy Dalton, especially with the latter signing a two-year, $10 million deal this very offseason. Nonetheless, it’s the 22-year-old Bryce Young out of Alabama who’s been granted the reins, with Reich declaring on Wednesday that “Yes, he’s QB1.”
Of course, this is particularly interesting when we consider a few things. Firstly, Reich’s comments come after the very first day of training camp. Then, there’s Dalton’s aforementioned contract renewal, the shining endorsement he recently received from the new Panthers Pro Bowl running back, Miles Sanders, who called him “a future Hall of Famer,” and even the words of Dalton himself, who said, “there aren’t 32 [quarterbacks] better than me.” With all of this in mind, one can be forgiven for raising an eyebrow. Be that as it may, Reich’s statement stands: Bryce Young is the guy.
Is it about ROI for the Panthers?
Let’s be honest, the Panthers gave up quite a bit to acquire the services of Young. There were 2023 first and second-round picks, a 2024 first-round pick, a 2025 second-round pick, and wide receiver DJ Moore who all went to the Chicago Bears in exchange for the No. 1 pick. It would be reasonable to believe that regardless of if Young is the better man for the job, there’s likely considerable pressure to field him given what was invested in order to get him. As for what Reich’s official take is, the coach indicated that it was always on the cards. “I always felt like [general manager] Scott [Fitterer] and I, the coaching staff, imagined and saw the vision when we decided to pick Bryce that we would be standing here today saying he’s QB1.”
What has Bryce Young said about being given the starting job?
When asked how he felt about being named the starting quarterback for the team, Young couldn’t hide his emotion as he stated that it “means a lot”, before adding that it is a “huge blessing.” On the other hand, he was also quick to point out that it will have no effect on how he intends to prepare for the upcoming campaign. Indeed, speaking on the “competition” to claim the job, Young explained it changes nothing ahead of his rookie campaign. “I respect the coaches and I want to do whatever I can to play whatever role it is I’m called on to help the team. So that means a lot [being named the starting quarterback]. For me, it’s making sure I take things day by day. It doesn’t change my approach. I want to keep improving, keep growing.”