The Carolina Panthers have done a remarkable job of hiding their intentions for this year’s No. 1 overall pick, whether they actually have any at the moment or not. But you can only hide for so long—and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown may have found that out on Thursday night.
As noted by Twitter user @mhersii1—with an assist from our old pal Edgar Salmingo, Jr.—McCown was following only one of the 2023 NFL draft’s top quarterback prospects on Instagram. That prospect was University of Alabama star Bryce Young.
I’m sure we won’t overreact to this:
#Panthers QB coach Josh McCown follows Bryce Young on IG and none of the other draft QBs
Bryce Young follows back
h/t @mhersii1 pic.twitter.com/pzkozcWiMc
— Edgar Salmingo, Jr. ✌️ (@PanthersAnalyst) April 14, 2023
McCown, however, may have caught wind of the ensuing ruckus that observation caused, as he’s since followed the class’ other “big three” passers—Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Florida’s Anthony Richardson and Kentucky’s Will Levis.
Whether it’s coincidence or because word got out that he only follows Bryce Young, #Panthers QB coach Josh McCown just started following CJ Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis pic.twitter.com/e1fGlbUmuV
— Edgar Salmingo, Jr. ✌️ (@PanthersAnalyst) April 14, 2023
This could, as Salmingo notes, be a coincidence. But this find is particularly interesting given how strongly the tide has recently turned in favor of Young—who’s now a solid odds-on favorite to be selected first overall by Carolina.
Or maybe, just maybe, this is part of the Panthers’ intricate ploy to get the Houston Texans to trade up from the No. 2 spot to secure Young for themselves. (Or maybe it’s not.)
Either way, we’ll find out what this all means (or doesn’t mean) in less than two weeks.
April 27 can’t come soon enough, can it?
