Bryce Young explains decision to cancel remaining NFL visits ahead of 2023 NFL Draft

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Bryce Young, Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback — Alabama quarterback Bryce Young answers questions while at the NFL Combine on March 3, 2023. (Icon Sportswire / Getty Images)

Bryce Young will not be making any more visits ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported the news and said the Carolina Panthers were likely to select the Alabama quarterback with the first overall pick.

Since then, Carolina general manager Scott Fitterer has come out and said they have not told Young he would be the pick on April 27. According to him, the decision to cancel visits was made by Young and his representation.

Young had the opportunity to explain why he will no longer be traveling, calling it a “logistics” move. The mindset has now changed for Young as he is looking to physically be ready to play in the NFL — whether that’s with Carolina or somebody else.

“For me, it was just a decision I made with my team,” Young said during Wednesday’s episode of First Take on ESPN. “It was kind of more of a logistics thing more than anything. I wanted to do everything I can to focus on getting ready for the draft and getting ready for whenever my name gets called, making sure I’m working out and training so that I can give my all to whatever franchise it is.”

Young did make a few visits, including one to Carolina. There has been done extensive work by the franchise on quarterbacks ranked near the top. Many believe they have made a decision on who to select and Young will be the name called. He would most likely be taken over Ohio State‘s CJ Stroud.

The Houston Texans hosted him as well, with former Alabama defensive back DeMeco Ryans taking over as head coach. Houston sits with the second overall pick and if the Panthers pass on Young, could be the destination.

The Las Vegas Raiders also hosted Young on a top-30 visit. If they were going to make any kind of move for the quarterback, they would have to make a big trade into the top two picks.

As Young said — with no more visits on the calendar, he can now begin to train for the upcoming 2023 NFL season. He does not know exactly what color uniform he will be wearing quite yet. We will all find out in just over a week in Kansas City. Thankfully, it will not be too far into the night before Young is up there shaking the hand of Commissioner Roger Goodell.