The new face of the Carolina Panthers franchise is now one of its official leaders.
On Wednesday, head coach Frank Reich announced the team captains for the 2023 season. Among the six players selected by the locker room was rookie quarterback Bryce Young.
Buy Panthers TicketsYoung now joins fellow 2023 draftees C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson as rookie quarterbacks who have been handed the honor. And given the remarkable reputation the 22-year-old has already built up amongst his peers, the patch should come as no surprise.
Here’s what new teammate Vonn Bell, who has some recent experience with another No. 1 overall pick, had to say about Young during training camp:
“Man, it’s pretty much the same,” Bell said in comparing Young to Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow. “They just wanna prove themselves at first, and let their play do the talking. Then, they go ease into the leadership role and whatnot. So they just tryin’ to get their feet down. Just really go out there and show the guys who they are and just showin’ up every day to work just tryin’ to be a pro. But they’re very similar and they’re phenomenal talents, for sure.”
Young is joined in his captainship by wide receiver Adam Thielen, right tackle Taylor Moton, linebackers Brian Burns and Shaq Thompson and punter Johnny Hekker.