When the Carolina Panthers were looking to finally solve their problem at quarterback – which has been a thing ever since Cam Newton was injured in 2018 – they looked to make a splash move to stop their quarterback carousel. Since 2019, that revolving door has included Kyle Allen, Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield and PJ Walker.
In order to get their choice of quarterbacks in the 2023 draft, the Panthers traded four picks and wide receiver DJ Moore to move up to No. 1 to draft Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. A two-year starter at Alabama, who threw for 8,200 yards and 79 touchdowns in that span, there is no questioning Young’s ability. The biggest concern is something he can’t control – his lack of prototypical quarterback size.
At just 5-foot-10, 204 pounds, Young is setting records that aren’t viewed as positives. In the modern era of the NFL, there have only been two long-term starting quarterbacks who were under 6-foot tall – Russell Wilson (5-foot-11) and Doug Flutie (5-foot-10). Young comes to the NFL with a big hurdle to overcome, but the Panthers clearly believe his talent outshines his height impediment.
