Bryce Young: 'You've got to earn the right to be a leader'

Bryce Young didn’t become the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by accident. The Carolina Panthers saw the quarterback’s ability on the field, coupled with his leadership qualities, and determined he was the future of their franchise.

The former Alabama Crimson Tide superstar didn’t do much convincing to his doubters last season though. It simply wasn’t pretty, and now Carolina has turned over a new leaf, revamping their coaching staff to try and get the most out of Young.

While his play on the field has been suspect in the NFL, Young’s ability to lead has never been questioned, and he looks poised to steer Carolina during his sophomore season. He’s proven he can get the job done in high school and with the Crimson Tide, and he’s pulling from his past to move ahead into the future.

“I think I definitely have the same approach, looking back on it,” Young responded, asked about his different leadership styles during high school, college and now in the NFL, while speaking with reporters. “I think the biggest thing is making sure, at first, I’m holding myself accountable. I’m doing the right things on my own. Making sure that, you know, you’ve got to earn the right to be a leader, and making sure that — I can’t go and tell people to work hard, and then come in and not have that same intensity, not be focused in meetings, not know my stuff, whatever it may be. So, I think it’s similar, in having that same approach, that mindset.

“And then, you know, on top of that, getting the time to learn the guys. You know, really build relationships with people. Not just be someone who’s talking, but someone who you know off the field, and you know, it’s on me to carve out time, and to have those conversations to build that. You know, this being Year 2, a lot of news faces, but a lot of similar guys, as well. Having more time, more connections, and then us all learning a new system, but having a year under my belt, feeling more conformable, having more experiences, you know, I think it’s just on me.

“Obviously, there’s things on the field that I’m growing into, and it’s the same thing leadership wise. Taking steps there, and doing whatever it is that’s best for the team, and I think that’s been a common theme of what I’ve always been working towards at pervious levels.”

Perhaps it’s the play of CJ Stroud, or the play of the team around him, but the hype around Bryce Young has dissipated. We’ll see if the Carolina Panthers can shock some people in 2024, and return the quarterback to the good graces of football pundits this season.