Frank Reich explains decision to name Bryce Young starting quarterback
Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich recently named Bryce Young the team’s starting quarterback. It was a move that was going to happen eventually for the first overall pick, but the timing of this decision was important for Young and the team.
During an appearance on NFL Network, Reich explained why he decided to name Young the starter when he did.
“I just think Bryce has proved what he put on tape in college, that he has what it takes to be QB1,” Reich said. “The way he handled the offseason program, just seeing how he’s responded and how he’s continuing to grow. We’ve got a long way to go, he’s got a long way to go. Seeing how the team’s responded to him, everything’s made this decision very easy.”
After Reich named Young the starter, Young shared what it means to him to be named the starting quarterback for Carolina.
“I respect the coaches and I want to do whatever I can to play whatever role it is I’m called on to help the team. So [being called the starter] means a lot. For me, it’s making sure I take things day by day. I want to keep improving, keep growing. Lofty expectations aren’t something new,” Young said. “I took the same approach in college. I’ve always taken the same approach. I’ve had experience taking the same approach to whatever expectations are. Whatever people are talking about, it is what it is,” Young said on ESPN
“It’s stuff that I can’t control, and making sure that my teammates, my coaches, what we set in the building, that’s who I listen to. That’s the expectations that we come up with together and build together as a team, and sticking to that. I’ve had experience doing that in the past. So it’ll be obviously a different level of different challenges, but I’ll keep the same mindset.”
CJ Stroud reacted to Bryce Young being named Carolina’s starter
Following Bryce Young being named the Panthers’ starter, fellow first-round pick CJ Stroud reacted to the news amid his own quarterback battle.
“Yeah, that’s my brother, man. And I’m happy for him,” Stroud said. “But his situation is his situation and my situation is mine. So, I know I’ve gotta work on my end and do whatever I gotta do to make this team better. It’s not about starter, it’s who’s not the starter. It’s about getting better for we’re going against Baltimore. So, right now, we’re just building a team. It’s not about individuals.”