Panthers reveal QB depth chart ahead of Bryce Young's rookie season

It appears Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young will have to win the team's starting job over free-agency signing Andy Dalton this summer.

"When he’s ready, when it’s best for the team, that’s when we’ll look to make the transition," Panthers head coach Frank Reich said about Young, per Joseph Person of The Athletic. "But when we come back out Monday, Andy will be taking reps with the ones. Bryce will be with the twos. But Bryce is gonna get a lot of reps. He’ll likely even get a few more than Andy just as the new guy." 

Young impressed Reich during rookie minicamp. The first-overall pick of this year's draft acknowledged those workouts were largely about learning the team's playbook and offensive system. 

Person mentioned that Dalton likely will remain with the first team "through (organized team activities), into the start of training camp and possibly the first preseason game." He added, though, that he believes Reich is "preparing Young to start the season opener Sept. 10" at the Atlanta Falcons. 

The Panthers paid a heavy price to obtain the right to select Young with pick No. 1 and will spend the summer determining if they want the 21-year-old to start right out of the gates or learn from Dalton as a backup. Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer suggested earlier this month he may look to bolster the team's offensive line before Carolina plays the first-year pro.

"I think he’s going to progress quickly in anything he does," Reich said about Young. "I think we all know that’s the kind of person he is. That’s the kind of player he is and how fast his mind thinks, and how gifted he is physically. You can just see him throwing the football out there, how easy it is for him." 

Kevin Patra of the NFL's website noted Monday that Reich likely wants Young's talent to "rise to the top throughout the offseason." For now, the chair is essentially Dalton's to keep warm until Reich and company deem Young ready.