The Carolina Panthers chose quarterback Bryce Young with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft with the hope the former Alabama All-American would lead the team out of the doldrums and back to Super Bowl status.
Since posting an 11-5 record in 2017, the Panthers have completed six consecutive campaigns with a losing mark, including a 2-15 showing in 2023.
Carolina worked during the offseason to enhance Young’s ability to succeed by trading for wide receiver Diontae Johnson, signing guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, drafting wide receiver Xavier Legette, running back Jonathon Brooks and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders and hiring Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales as head coach.
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But will the leadership component the Panthers expect from Young grow with his game?
Carolina outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney seemed to have some question about that when he talked with reporters at the Panthers’ mandatory minicamp.
“Quiet guy,” Clowney said when asked for his impression of Young. “I know he’s just trying to feel it out. When you’re a rookie you don’t want to step, but everybody’s expecting bigger things from you because you’re the quarterback. That’s the only thing he don’t know right now.
“Like we kind of try to pull him up there because he’s the quarterback. The quarterback to me is one of the biggest pieces in the National Football League. You know that. Everybody buy into their quarterback, the play of his quarterback. They carry the team, so we need Bryce’s energy. Like I tell everybody, it’s all about his energy. If he believe it or not, we want to see you believe it or feel it, and guys’ll buy in and get on board with that. You can lead us if you just – you know.
“I think he’s going to be OK. He’s making the plays. He just ain’t no talker. I played with Deshaun Watson who wasn’t no talker either, but he can play. On Sundays, you never knew he didn’t talk. But he can play.”
Clowney is preparing for his first season with Carolina. Johnson is, too, but the wide receiver said Young’s quiet demeanor was not the last word on the quarterback’s leadership ability.
“Sometimes that’s just how people are,” Johnson said. “That’s just how people come up playing the game. But once you get around somebody, then get to know them, it’s different and they really bring out that other side that you normally don’t see. I feel like once we step in between them lines, Bryce, you see the leadership. I feel like everybody don’t really see that, but he’s a great leader in my opinion.
“Even though he’s young, whenever he’s talking, everybody got all eyes on him showing him the respect that he’s earned. I feel like it’s been going great. He’s a great leader, vocal. He talks a lot, to be honest.”
Young said his leadership role would be whatever the team needed.
“I want to do whatever is best for the team,” Young said. “I’m going to be true and authentic to who I am, and I’m not going to be someone that I’m not, but also I feel like it’s my responsibility. …
“I think it’s my responsibility to fill in the gaps. Make sure if we’re in a spot where the energy’s low, my responsibility is to make sure we bring it up. If it’s where we’re too high, it’s my responsibility to make sure we’re focused and locked in, so for me, it’s making sure that I’m learning my teammates, knowing the guys, knowing the team, and then being able to give whatever’s necessary.”
The Panthers concluded their offseason program last week. Carolina will reconvene in Charlotte, North Carolina, on July 23, when the team’s veterans report for training camp. The Panthers open their three-game preseason schedule on Aug. 8 by visiting the New England Patriots and kick off the 2024 campaign on Sept. 8 with an NFC South road game against the New Orleans Saints.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.