Bryce Young says approach does not change after moving into No. 1 QB role

The reins of the Carolina Panthers offense are now in the hands of rookie Bryce Young but for the 21-year-old quarterback, nothing has changed. Young began taking the first snaps at practice this week, ahead of quarterback Andy Dalton. The move could be temporary or permanent but the former Alabama signal-caller is going to keep the same mentality.

“Not at all,” Young said about whether his mindset has changed since his elevation. “For me, I was just about attacking every day. I try to do everything I can do get better for the team, us as a team, us as a unit. Pushing ourselves to accomplish our goals, regardless of where that’s at, that’s up to the coaches, out of my hands.

“I just want to show up every day to do what I can to help the team.”

Young also shared how he was informed of the coming changes, which came in a one-on-one meeting with Frank Reich.

“Coach just kind of updated me, told me what was going to happen just for, you know, the continuity of practice,” Young said.

As far as the Panthers head coach’s take on the recent developments, he downplayed the significance with the media. The first-year Carolina skipper explained that it’s a natural progression.

“It’s just the next step,” Reich said, via Newton. “We had a couple of weeks to watch Andy. Andy has continued to perform at a very high level. We’re just trying to get our team ready.

“Everything is about what’s best for our team, and so this was just the next step.”

The Panthers traded up for the freedom to select Young with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Putting him in the driver’s seat before training camp starts at least makes it seem like things going according to plan in Carolina.

Young takes QB1 spot on depth chart this week

David Newton of ESPN reported on Thursday that Carolina elevated Young to the top quarterback on their roster.

“The Carolina Panthers have elevated rookie Bryce Youngto the No. 1 quarterback spot, a move coach Frank Reich said Thursday is ‘the next step’ in the top pick of this year’s draft becoming the Week 1 starter,” wrote Newton. “While Young, as planned, had gotten more reps than veteran Andy Dalton with the first team during the first two weeks of voluntary offseason workouts, Dalton was listed as the starter and began each drill with the first unit.

“That changed this week as the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner continued to show he had earned the respect of teammates and performed at a level worthy of getting first-team reps.”

On3’s Steve Samra contributed to this report.