Young excited about Panthers’ ‘new pieces’

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is eager to work with the team’s newest additions on offense as he prepares for his second season.

“I’m really excited to have some new pieces,” Young said Monday. “Now it’s on us to put the work in, to build the chemistry, to get the reps on the field and to make it translate. I’m grateful the guys are coming in. They all have really good work ethics, great attitudes, great outlooks. We all want the same thing. We all want to win. …

“It’s always good to just have new juice (and) have different juice. Now it’s on us to do the work to make it translate.”

The 2023 first overall pick struggled in his debut campaign, passing for 2,877 yards and 11 touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions with a 59.8% completion rate. Carolina finished with a league-low 2-15 record.

Carolina traded its 2024 first overall pick to select Young and is attempting to improve the roster around the 22-year-old to help spur his development.

The Panthers restructured the interior of the offensive line by signing Robert Hunt, Austin Corbett, and Damien Lewis in free agency. The pass-catching group added a veteran presence in Diontae Johnson via a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers and brought Ihmir Smith-Marsette back to Carolina. Rookie receiver Xavier Legette could also be a factor this season.

After a revolving door at head coach in recent years, Dave Canales will make his head coaching debut and is tasked with helping Young grow into a franchise quarterback. Canales praised Young’s ability to pick up the new playbook and credited his accuracy during workouts.

Young’s rookie production was a far cry from what many projected after he declared for the draft. The Alabama product threw for 8,356 yards and accounted for 87 total touchdowns at the college level. He was awarded the Heisman Trophy after racking up 4,872 yards, 47 touchdowns, and seven interceptions with a 167.5 passer rating in 2021.

Young won’t blame Reich for Panthers’ struggles: ‘We all share in that’

Panthers quarterback Bryce Young doesn’t think fired head coach Frank Reich was the only reason for Carolina’s struggles this season.

“We all share in that,” Young said on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s David Newton. “We never want to see people get fired. We wanted to come in and conquer things together and accomplish our goals together. We all take responsibility in that.”

Following a Week 12 loss to the Tennessee Titans, the Panthers dismissed Reich in his first season with the team. Reich – an offensive-minded coach and former quarterback who was expected to help Young’s transition to the NFL – went 1-10 in Carolina. The NFC South club also fired quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and assistant coach Duce Staley.

Young’s rookie campaign has been a major disappointment, as the No. 1 overall pick has completed 61.8% of his passes for 1,877 yards and nine touchdowns against eight interceptions in 10 games. The Alabama product, who’s been sacked 40 times, has also lost four fumbles.

“We all take ownership, especially offensively,” Young said of the Panthers’ disappointing year. “It’s all of us. We all want to do better. It’s a collective unit. There’s no finger-pointing from players, coaches. Nothing. We all could have been better.”

The Panthers – who rank in the league’s bottom five in points scored and allowed – drafted Young in April after acquiring the top selection in a trade from the Chicago Bears. Chicago owns Carolina’s first-round pick in 2024, which would be the No. 1 choice in the draft if the season ended today.

Despite Young’s rookie struggles, Panthers owner David Tepper recently said the team remains “totally confident in that pick.”

Panthers owner: ‘We are totally confident’ in No. 1 pick Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper is still all in on No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young after firing head coach Frank Reich amid serious struggles on offense.

“As far as Bryce Young is concerned … I cannot say this, you know, for myself, and I think everybody in this would share this sentiment … We are totally confident in that pick,” Tepper told reporters Tuesday, according to NFL Network’s Andrew Siciliano.

The Panthers swung a pre-draft deal with the Chicago Bears and moved up to the No. 1 pick to select Young. But their investment hasn’t gone as hoped. The Alabama product has started his career with nine touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a 74.9 passer rating. Making matters worse, the Panthers sent a 2024 first-round pick to the Bears in the trade that would currently be the first overall selection.

Tepper revealed there was initially a different plan in which the Panthers would get the No. 2 selection and take C.J. Stroud, who is in the midst of an impressive rookie campaign.

“Originally we were gonna go to the No. 2 pick and we thought we’d get C.J., because we thought the Texans were gonna pick Bryce,” Tepper added, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “And listen, we preferred Bryce. He was our No. 1 pick. We had a lot of conviction.”

Young’s disappointing start, along with the offense’s struggles, led to the termination of Reich just 11 games into his first season as head coach. Carolina is 1-10 with an offense that ranks 29th in scoring and 30th in yardage.

Reich became the third head coach to be fired midseason since Tepper took over the Panthers’ ownership in 2018. It’s also the second straight year he has dismissed a head coach after Matt Rhule’s removal last season. Despite the constant changes in leadership, Tepper defended himself against criticism of his impatience.

“In other aspects of my life, we have people for 20-30 years who work for me,” the owner said, per USA Today’s Jori Epstein.” No one ever leaves me. I do have patience. My reputation away from this game is one of extreme patience.”

Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor is taking control of head coaching duties for the rest of the season.

Panthers’ Reich backs Young ahead of Stroud matchup: ‘Got the guy we wanted’

Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich said Wednesday that he has no regrets in drafting quarterback Bryce Young first overall over C.J. Stroud, who ended up going to the Houston Texans at No. 2.

Young and Stroud face off for the first time in the NFL on Sunday when the Panthers host the Texans.

“We got the guy we wanted to get and couldn’t be happier about that in every way,” Reich said, per Joe Person of The Athletic. “I’m happy for C.J. He’s had six good games, and I have no doubt he’ll have many more good games. But I know this: When it comes to evaluating quarterbacks or any position, it’s years, not weeks. You can’t put a label on a guy after six weeks or even a year.”

Reich was reportedly leaning toward Stroud in the pre-draft process before Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer and his staff decided to take Young. Carolina originally had the No. 9 overall pick but eventually moved up to No. 1 after a blockbuster March trade with the Chicago Bears.

“My eyes and our eyes were on Bryce from start to finish,” Reich said Wednesday when asked about the situation.

The beginning of Young’s and Stroud’s pro careers have been polar opposites. The Panthers rookie, who missed one contest due to an ankle injury, has yet to win a game and has tossed 867 yards and six touchdowns against four interceptions. Meanwhile, Stroud is the front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year after passing for 1,660 yards and nine touchdowns to one pick through six starts. Houston is 3-3 in 2023.

Young and Stroud headlined a 2023 quarterback draft class that featured three first-round QBs, as the Indianapolis Colts selected Anthony Richardson fourth overall. Richardson was recently ruled out for the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury.

Panthers’ Young dealing with ankle injury

Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young did not participate in Wednesday’s walkthrough practice because of an ankle injury, opening the door for the possibility of veteran Andy Dalton starting on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Panthers coach Frank Reich said at this point it’s too early to know if the No. 1 overall pick will be able to play.

Carolina is 0-2 as Young and the Panthers offense have struggled to find their groove.

Dalton took first-team reps as Young looked on, per Reich. Young was injured at some point in Carolina’s 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Monday night, although he did complete the game and threw a touchdown and 2-point conversion pass on his final drive.

The Panthers have signed Jake Luton to the practice squad, and he could be promoted as the team’s backup quarterback if Young can’t play.

“If Andy is the starter, we have a lot of confidence.” Reich said. “This is why you bring someone like Andy in. Our goal is to put our team in position to win championships and despite a tough start that is our vision, that is our goal and what we’re working toward. My experience personally as a player and as a coach is that you’re going to need somebody for one game or two or three somewhere along the line. If Andy plays we believes he gives us a very good chance to win.”

The Panthers also listed four players as limited on Wednesday, including outside linebackers Brian Burns (ankle) and Justin Houston (calf), running back Miles Sanders (pectoral), and linebacker Chandler Wooten.

Rodgers impressed by No. 1 pick Young: ‘Carolina’s in good hands’

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers praised Carolina Panthers rookie passer Bryce Young after the teams’ joint practice Wednesday.

“I like the kid a lot,” Rodgers said of Young, according to Carolina Blitz. “We share an agent, so I’ve known about him for a long time. I loved watching him in college. I like his demeanor, I like his movements, I like the way he throws. … I think Carolina is in good hands.”

The Panthers shared a video of the two quarterbacks chatting at practice Wednesday.

Carolina selected Young first overall in this year’s draft following his impressive career at Alabama. The 22-year-old passed for 79 touchdowns against 12 interceptions in two seasons as the Crimson Tide’s starter. He also won the Heisman Trophy in 2021.

Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, joined the Jets this offseason as part of a trade from the Green Bay Packers. The 39-year-old led Green Bay to a Super Bowl title and earned 10 Pro Bowl nods while making 223 regular-season starts with the franchise from 2005-22.

He also offered Young some career advice.

“Be gentle with yourself, it’s a long journey,” Rodgers said, according to Steve Reed of The Associated Press. “It feels like every little snap and practice is the end of the world if it doesn’t go right; it’s not true. It’s a long journey. It’s about holding on to your confidence and enjoying the ride, enjoying the little things every day. But I think he’s got a great head on his shoulders and he’ll be just fine.”

Young said he has a lot of respect for Rodgers.

“When you talk about someone like Aaron Rodgers, who’s had so much success for so long, any advice that he gives me, I’ll definitely be receptive to it,” Young said Wednesday, per ESPN’s David Newton.

The Panthers and Jets have struggled at quarterback in recent years, with each team starting three different QBs in 2022. Carolina hasn’t made the playoffs since 2017, while New York’s last postseason appearance dates back to the 2010 campaign, the longest drought in the league.

Panthers sign No. 1 pick Young to rookie deal worth reported $37.9M

The Carolina Panthers and quarterback Bryce Young agreed to terms on his rookie contract on Friday, the team announced.

It’s a fully-guaranteed four-year, $37.9-million deal, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The pact also includes a signing bonus worth nearly $24.6 million, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Carolina drafted Young first overall in April after he put on a show at Alabama. As the Crimson Tide’s starter, the 21-year-old passed for 79 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions in two seasons. He also won the Heisman Trophy in 2021.

The Panthers finished last season with a 7-10 record but acquired the first overall pick in this year’s draft as part of a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bears.

Young joins a Carolina team that hasn’t had a winning record since 2017. The Panthers had issues with quarterbacks in particular in 2022, starting three different passers throughout the campaign.

Panthers GM: No timeline on Bryce Young starting

Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer doesn’t have a set date for when No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young will take the starting quarterback job.

“We’re going to rely on our coaches – Jim Caldwell, Frank Reich, Thomas Brown – to decide when it’s right,” Fitterer said on “PFT PM” to Mike Florio. “We don’t have a timeline.”

He continued: “We’re not saying, ‘Hey, this guy’s gonna start the first game, or we’re not going to play him at all this year.’ When the time is right, or we felt like he’s got enough of a mastery of the offense where he can go out and operate this and be successful, that’s when he’ll be out there.”

Fitterer added that veteran Andy Dalton, who was signed as a free agent, is the current starter.

“If Andy’s the guy to start the season, and he’s the starter right now heading into the season, then he’ll be the guy,” Fitterer explained. “When Bryce is ready, or Matt Corral is ready, whoever it may be, that’ll be the time they go in. We say it’s open competition, but Frank did say, ‘Hey, Andy’s, he’s our guy right now.’ He’ll walk into the season as the starter, and then, as you know, the young guys compete underneath him, then they’ll go in when they’re ready.”

The Panthers moved up from the ninth overall pick to No. 1 to select Young. They sent the Chicago Bears a package that included two first-round picks, a pair of second-rounders, and wideout D.J. Moore.

Young faced questions over his 5-foot-10 and 204-pound frame leading up to the draft. However, his stature didn’t stop him from lighting up the scoreboards at Alabama. The rookie threw for 80 touchdowns to 12 interceptions in college and won the Heisman Trophy in 2021.

Panthers take Bryce Young with No. 1 pick in NFL draft

The Carolina Panthers selected Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with the first overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The selection comes as no surprise. Young headlines a talented quarterback class and separated himself from the rest of the group in the weeks heading into the draft.

He’s the first quarterback the Panthers have selected in the first round since Cam Newton, the No. 1 pick of the 2011 draft.

Young measured in at 5-foot-10, 204 pounds at the combine. However, his size wasn’t an issue in college. He completed 65.7% of his passes while throwing for 8,200 yards and 79 touchdowns against 12 interceptions across two seasons as the Crimson Tide’s starter. The 21-year-old won the Heisman Trophy in 2021.

Young joins a Carolina team that’s struggled at quarterback in recent years. The Panthers, who haven’t made the playoffs since 2017, started three different QBs last season – Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and P.J. Walker.

Carolina acquired this year’s top draft pick as part of a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bears in March.

Pre-draft profile

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Young’s career at Alabama was outstanding. He has an impeccable feel for the game as the point guard of his offense, terrorizing opponents both within structure and when a play breaks down. His ability to create off-script while maintaining masterful field vision is a rare trait that simply can’t be taught. Young also demonstrates pinpoint accuracy to all levels of the field from the pocket, and more than enough arm talent to execute any throw required of him in an NFL offense. His significant lack of size, which makes him an all-time outlier at the quarterback position, is the only real concern about his game. Fair or not, it creates a gigantic range of outcomes for his career. Young had no issues finding windows and throwing over the middle of the field – an area of struggle for other small quarterbacks – but taking punishment from NFL defenders at his size is a legitimate concern. We’re not going to bet against him, though. The tape is too good.