Apparently, 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young isn’t the only new member of the Carolina Panthers that has to earn his position atop the organization.
Two weeks ago, general manager Scott Fitterer stated that veteran Andy Dalton—not Young—is considered the team’s starting quarterback at this point in the year. Then, on Saturday, head coach Frank Reich backed up the sentiment—telling reporters at rookie minicamp that Dalton will open organized team activities with the first-stringers while Young begins with the seconds.
But the reasoning behind that decision may not be as sinister as some may believe. It might not because the new face of the franchise isn’t “ready.”
According to MMQB senior NFL reporter Albert Breer, the coaching staff is first trying to make sure that they are ready. Breer writes:
I’m told the staff is trying to make sure the operation as a whole, in Reich’s first year, is running at an optimal level. Most of the Panthers veterans have been in-house for five weeks already, as the coaches try to keep pushing that level higher, with two weeks of on-field work under their belts as part of that. The rookies, including Young, are behind that pace.
Reich, for obvious reasons, doesn’t want to slow the pace to accommodate any rookie he thinks has to progress. Which is to say now it’ll be up to Young to catch up to older teammates. When he does, the coaches will start transitioning and getting him more work with the guys he’ll be playing with in the fall (presuming he does, sooner or later, he will become the starter).
The Panthers, of course, underwent an extensive overhaul this offseason. Among many other spots, they have themselves a new head coach in Frank Reich, a new offensive coordinator in Thomas Brown and a new quarterbacks coach in Josh McCown.
So before they let their bird spread his wings, they have to get the nest ready for takeoff.
