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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Anthony Rizzuti

Panthers training camp tracker: Observations and takeaways from Day 1

Panthers Bryce Young Frank Reich Laviska Shenault Mike Kaye Brian Burns DJ Chark Jared C Tilton Jim Dedmon Andy Dalton

The Carolina Panthers kicked off their 2023 edition of training camp with a bit of big news.

For that and more, check out our top takeaways and observations from the first day in Spartanburg:

Bryce Young is QB1

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

As if there was any doubt, the No. 1 overall pick is the No. 1 quarterback on the depth chart. Head coach Frank Reich confirmed that Young is the Panthers’ starter under center:

“Yes, he’s QB1. He is QB1.”

Reich also gave his thoughts on Young’s first training camp outing:

“I thought he threw the ball on time. There were a couple throws you guys probably saw, there was one or two that were super early. Completion to DJ Chark on a deep out route, got a little pressure, had to get it out super early. Great to show the ability to do that. Sometimes, it doesn’t always come out the way you draw it up. But there was a couple of examples of that today.”

Panthers will continue to explore Laviska Shenault's versatility

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Reich noted that he and his staff will search for ways to best utilize Shenault, who took some reps out of the backfield on Wednesday:

“We do think Laviska’s a guy that can be versatile. And I think as an offensive staff, we’ve all had experience with guys that we’ve had. But we have to look at Laviska for him, and for how it fits in our offense. So we’ll dip our toe in the water in some of that stuff and see how it goes.”

There are 'big plans' for the TE room

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina hasn’t gotten much from production the tight end position in recent seasons, having seen the spot amass just 1,173 receiving yards and six touchdowns over the last three years combined. But Reich believes there are big things ahead for the bunch:

“Yeah, Hayden looked good. He was limited, right? Much of the offseason. And he’s got a lot of energy, juice, passion. You feel it out there. He’s a versatile player. We really see Hayden as a guy who can do it all at that position.

“That whole room, though, we’re excited about. They all have a role. We like that. They each have certain strengths that we can emphasize and continue to talk to that room about we have big plans for them. But we gotta roll it out day by day.”

Brian Burns believes his new role will allow him to make more plays

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

The two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher will be transitioning from a defensive end to an outside linebacker in the team’s new 3-4 scheme. And Burns thinks that fresh look will open up a whole lot more for him:

“I think it’ll showcase my IQ more than anything. I mean, physically, it’s so much more you could do at my position. But I think it’ll showcase my IQ more than anything, just because of the disguises and really mappin’ out and understandin’ formations.

“Like, I think I can make more plays in that type of role. Now I have a little freedom to move about over the slot, back, up, it doesn’t really matter. I just feel like me being able to disguise the way I want to can probably open up some opportunities for me.”

Being named starter is a 'huge blessing' for Bryce Young

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Moments after Reich anointed his guy, Young gave his thoughts on Wednesday’s big news:

“That means a lot. That’s a huge blessing. I always trust the coaches and I wanna do everything I can to play whatever role it is I’m called on to help the team. So that means a lot.

“For me, it doesn’t change my approach. Make sure that I take things day by day. There’s a lot I want to keep growing in, keep improving in, a lot to learn. And we’re all in it as a team, in this together.”

Jonathan Mingo and Bryce Young are building up their connection

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

The second-round wideout talked a bit about the growing relationship with his fellow rookie:

“It’s been goin’ real good. Just tryin’ to pick his brain, he’s tryin’ to pick mine. He’s tryin’ to get our timing down. I went out there to California with him for the offseason for one week to train with him. So we worked on our connection out there. Just try to pick his brain about the timing and what he’s tryin’ to do and what window he’s tryin’ to hit me in. So it’s goin’ pretty good.”

Mingo also described what type of leader Young has been:

“He’s vocal. Not vocal as most quarterbacks, but he always take the blame for everything. Some quarterbacks like to try to put the blame on others, but he’s always takin’ the blame for everything. Tryin’ to be a good guy. He talks to everybody. Sometimes you talk to him, you won’t even know he’s a quarterback on the team—just tryin’ to talk to you like you’re one of the guys. He’s a real good leader. He leads by example. He speaks when he needs to.”

Notable observations

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