The Carolina Panthers have missed the NFL playoffs in each of the past five seasons, and they have posted only one season with more than seven wins since their last Super Bowl appearance in 2016.
But the selection of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young in April’s NFL Draft has renewed optimism around the struggling Panthers. And reports about Young‘s approach and mental makeup to this point have been sterling — leading many around the NFL to believe Carolina‘s new signal-caller is a budding star.
Rival executive hails Young’s intelligence
ESPN‘s Jeremy Fowler has cited an NFC executive who has had a chance to see Young perform at minicamp this summer — and this executive had high praise for the rookie who has yet to take an NFL snap.
“I was told his mental aptitude has been as advertised,” Fowler said. “That’s what he was known for during the draft process, as a mental savant. … No new quarterback bats 100 in learning (Carolina‘s offense) in the first month, but I was told he was pretty darn close to 100%. So, the Panthers really believe that as long as he has command of the offense, they’re in good shape.”
Under new head coach Frank Reich, the Panthers‘ offense is expected to take a step forward in 2023. Young mastering the playbook at an early stage could see Carolina hit the ground running in a competitive NFC South division.
New teammate Sanders impressed, too
During a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, new Panthers running back Miles Sanders revealed his first impressions of Young — and he spoke of a quarterback who seems ready to go, right out of the chute.
Sanders, who joined Carolina as a free agent this spring, said Young is “on it” and is well on his way to mastering a complicated new offense.
The NFC South looks open in 2023 as Tom Brady opted for retirement over another season in Tampa Bay. With no clear favorite, there could be an opening for Young to silence any doubters and lead the Panthers to an unlikely postseason berth.
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