Carolina Panthers rookie Bryce Young revealed he learned how to maintain his work ethic and hunger after speaking with NFL icon Tom Brady.
Young was selected first-overall by the Panthers in the 2023 NFL Draft, and the former Alabama quarterback was a coveted talent as the franchise gave up a lot to move up the order to select him. Ahead of the draft, the Panthers traded the ninth-overall pick, the 61st overall pick, a 2024 first-round selection and a 2025 second-round selection as well as star receiver DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears for the rights to select Young.
The move appears to have paid off, as the 21-year-old is reportedly displaying a calm demeanour and composure behind his offensive line went undergoing drills. His smooth control and mentality belie his years and have made him stand out to staff during the early stages of Carolina’s preseason camps.
Last month, Young had the opportunity to sit down and pick the brain of Brady, who is believed by many to be the greatest player in NFL history. Young suggested one of his key takeaways was the lack of entitlement granted to anyone - it has to be earned.
“I have never thrown an NFL pass in a game,” Young told reporters after an offseason workout. “I have no stats, no wins, nothing. We're all on an even playing field.
“Once you get into the league, where you get drafted, that doesn't entitle me to anything.”
Young is focused on improving each and every day ahead of his NFL debut in September, adding: “I have to work. I have to work as hard as I can to make sure every day I'm trying to get better, every day I'm improving.”
During the lunch hosted by Fanatics, Brady provided advice to Young's fellow rookie quarterbacks, C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans), Anthony Richardson (Indianapolis Colts) and Will Levis (Tennessee Titans). Young truly appreciated the chance to speak to the seven-time Super Bowl champion: “There were a lot of gems, a lot of nuggets that I was able to take away.
“I was able to ask him some questions about his career, kind of his mindset going toward it.”
Brady arrived in the NFL via a very different path to Young. He was selected with the 199th pick in the 2000 NFL Draft out of the University of Michigan, and he went on to lead the New England Patriots’ dominant two-decade dynasty despite six quarterbacks being selected before him.
The 45-year-old won six Super Bowls with the Patriots before spending the final three years of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he won his seventh ring at Super Bowl LV in February 2021. He retired in February and finished his career with 251 wins and 15 Pro Bowl selections, while his status as the ‘GOAT’ is secured.
On Thursday, Young told Yahoo Sports of the insight Brady provided for the quarterbacks ahead of their rookie campaign: “When you’re talking to a legend like Tom Brady and see the success that he’s had and the career he’s had, that means a lot. He was kind enough to reflect on his younger years and, you know, what he felt like worked for him and stuff that he learned later that he pushed us to accelerate.”
