Panthers head coach Frank Reich believes the team has picked the right quarterback at the 2023 draft, with Bryce Young set to star in future years in Carolina.
Young was selected as the number one overall pick in the 2023 draft, after setting all manner of records including the most passes in one game (559) and was selected ahead of C.J. Stroud.
Young and Stroud, the Texans line caller, will go head-to-head in the NFL for the first time when the teams clash this weekend.
Stroud was the number 2 overall pick and gas led the Texans to a 3-3 record.
The Ohio State quarterback has been recording better numbers this season, following one of the most competitive drafts in recent history.
He ranks in the top five of qualified passers in passing yards this season (276.7) and a touchdown to interception ratio of nine to one.
Reich though is happier with his pick and believes Young will come good, in fact become great.
“Yeah, I mean, we got the guy we wanted to get and couldn’t be happier about that in every way,” Reich said on the team’s official site.
“And I would say this: I’m happy for C.J. He’s had six good games, and I have no doubt he’ll have many more good games. But I know this: when it comes to evaluating quarterbacks or any position, it’s years, not weeks. You can’t put a label on a guy after six weeks or even a year.”
The Panthers are 0-6 and are the only team in the league not to pick up at least one win.
“I’ve seen guys have Pro Bowl seasons and then a year later, fighting to be a backup somewhere else. I mean, it’s a crazy league,” concluded Reich.
A clash between picks one and two, with both being quarterbacks, shows four pairs to match up and the second overall pick winning 75% of the time.
Peyton Manning (1998) was the only QB number one pick to beat his number 2, defeating San Diego’s Ryan Leaf, in 1998.
