Panthers elevate first overall pick Bryce Young to No 1 quarterback: 'It's just the next step'

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The Carolina Panthers have wasted no time moving their first overall pick from this year’s NFL Draft, quarterback Bryce Young, up the depth chart.

Young has been elevated to starting quarterback, which new Panthers head coach Frank Reich said Thursday during practice.

"It's just the next step," Reich said via ESPN. "We had a couple of weeks to watch Andy [Dalton]. 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."

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Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers works through a drill during practice at Bank of America Stadium on May 13, 2023, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

Dalton, who signed as Young’s expected veteran backup, had been taking the first-team reps to start practices for the last two weeks. However, Young was getting more time with the first team anyway – an expected move.

Now, Young began this week with the first team and Reich thought it was the right time for the Alabama product and Heisman Trophy winner to take that next step in his development.

So, for the Panthers’ mandatory three-day minicamp next week, Young will be featured solely with the first team while Dalton will handle second-team duties.

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For Young, the designation as top dog at quarterback doesn’t change his mindset.

"For me, it's about earning it," Young said. "I'm grateful to have the opportunity that I have. I still think it's a process. I'm grateful to be accepted by