Carolina Panthers promote No. 1 pick Bryce Young to first-team QB
The inevitable has happened in Charlotte.
Carolina Panthers coach Frank Reich told reporters Thursday that quarterback Bryce Young has been elevated to the first-team.
"Bryce has taken the snaps with the ones this week," Reich said. "That was something at the beginning that (general manager) Scott (Fitterer) and I kind of earmarked the time when we thought would be best. Kind of mapping out, talked it through with the staff, you know, at the beginning of the offseason, this was kind of the time that we had marked this week to just kind of move him up.”
Reich iterated that the team’s decision to promote Young was not a demotion for veteran quarterback Andy Dalton or second-year passer Matt Corral.
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"It's just the next step. There's really nothing to say other than, 'Hey, we just wanted to move him up this week.' Felt like it's been the right time. He had a couple weeks to watch Andy (Dalton). That was really good stuff. Andy's continued to perform at a very high level. Bryce is doing well. Matt (Corral) is doing well. Just trying to get our team ready,” Reich said. “Everything is about what’s best for our team. This was just the next step.”
The Panthers’ decision to make Young QB1 was a forgone conclusion when the organization drafted the former Heisman Trophy winner No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL draft. The timing of Young’s promotion sets the stage for the Alabama product to take a majority, if not all, of the Panthers’ first-team reps during next week’s mandatory minicamp and subsequently training camp.
"For me, it's about earning it. I'm grateful to have the opportunity that I have. To be able to come here and be a part of this organization," Young said. "I still think it's a process. I'm grateful to be accepted by the team. It's an amazing locker room, a great group of guys. … I want to continue with that. It's not something you're just entitled to."
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Carolina Panthers promote Bryce Young to first-team QB
