The Carolina Panthers have announced rookie Bryce Young as their starting quarterback, according to coach Frank Reich. Young, who was the top pick in this year’s draft, has been given the No.1 spot after proving himself during voluntary offseason workouts.
Although veteran Andy Dalton had been listed as the starter during the first two weeks of the workouts, Young had been receiving more reps with the first team. However, this week, he was officially promoted to the No.1 spot.
Reich stated that this move was “the next step” in getting Young ready to be the Week 1 starter. He added that Young would continue to get the first-team reps during next week’s three-day mandatory camp, while Dalton would work with the second team.
According to Reich, this was the timeline that he and general manager Scott Fitterer had mapped out for the move after selecting Young as the top pick. Reich also noted that Dalton had continued to perform at a very high level and that this move was about getting the team ready and doing what was best for them.
Wide receiver DJ Chark, who was on the receiving end of one of Young’s deep passes during a workout, said that Young had been “fantastic” and had earned the respect of everyone in the locker room. He also praised the organization for surrounding Young with a veteran offensive line, bringing in proven offensive weapons, and putting him with a veteran coaching staff.
Young said that being elevated to the No.1 spot wouldn’t change his approach, which had been to go out each day, get better, and earn the respect of his teammates. He added that he was grateful for the opportunity he had and that he wanted to continue earning it.
Reich didn’t tell Young about the move to No.1 until the end of last week when they began discussing this week’s plan. He stated that they could have moved the timeline up, but he didn’t want to because things were going the way they wanted.
Reich also said that although the plan was to have Young ready to be the Week 1 starter at Atlanta, he wasn’t ready to make that official until after he had seen Young perform in pads during training camp. He added that they didn’t have to make a decision until they had to make it, and they would keep giving Young and the team the opportunity to get better and earn that starting role.
The Carolina Panthers have elevated Bryce Young to the No.1 quarterback spot, making him the starting quarterback for the team. Young had been receiving more reps with the first team during voluntary offseason workouts, and this week, he was officially promoted to the No.1 spot. Reich stated that this move was “the next step” in getting Young ready to be the Week 1 starter, and Young will continue to get the first-team reps during next week’s three-day mandatory camp. The plan is to have Young ready to be the Week 1 starter at Atlanta, but Reich isn’t ready to make that official until after he has seen Young perform in pads during training camp.
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