Report: Bryce Young opening practice with first team

Bryce Young. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Panthers rookie QB opening practice with first team

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 6/8/23

Could it be a matter of time before Carolina anoints Bryce Young as QB1?

Per David Newton of ESPN, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft opened with the first team during OTAs on Thursday. It's notable because Andy Dalton is expected to be the team's Week 1 starter, yet the change signals Carolina is preparing for Young to take over.

Bryce Young opens with first team in team drills. Feels like the Panthers are making the switch. He has been second behind Andy Dalton.
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) June 8, 2023

However, Panthers head coach Frank Reich didn't declare that Young is the starter and explained it's part of the plan for the rookie QB.

"At the beginning of the offseason, this was kinda the time we marked to move him up," Reich said in a Thursday news conference. "It's just the next step. There's really nothing to say other than, 'Hey, we just wanted to move him up this week.'"

Regardless, it's an excellent sign for Carolina that Young is progressing quickly, and it believes he's ready to work with the starters.

The Panthers placed tremendous hope in Young's potential. They traded two first-rounders and more to Chicago to move up from No. 9 to No. 1 to select him. Additionally, they must find their next franchise QB since they've rotated through eight since 2018.

Thus far, Young looks like he's ready to become a starter. Per Joseph Person of The Athletic, he's received the majority of first-team reps during OTAs and possesses an impressive grasp of the offense. Reich recently said the QB's command is a "10 out of 10."

Perhaps Young will continue to improve rapidly and become the centerpiece the franchise needs.

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