CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers have elevated rookie Bryce Young to the No. 1 quarterback spot, a move coach Frank Reich said on Thursday is «the next step'' in the top pick of the draft becoming the Week 1 starter.
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. »It's just the next step,'' Reich said. «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.'' Reich said the 5-foot-10, 204-pound Young will continue to get the first-team reps during next week's three-day mandatory camp and that Dalton will continue to work with the second team.