Panthers quarterback Matt Corral denied Monday morning that his cryptic Instagram post during the NFL draft related to Carolina’s selection of quarterback Bryce Young, telling reporters it had “nothing to do with football.”
Corral, drafted in the third round of the 2022 draft out of Mississippi, also noted he does not want to be traded away from the team. The 24-year-old posted a screenshot on April 27 that included the quote, “If you are not appreciated, do not be angry. That means you are in the wrong place. Don’t stay in a place where no one sees your value.” He posted the quote shortly after Young went No. 1.
“Me personally, if it was up to me, I don’t want to be traded,” Corral said, via All Panthers’ Schuyler Callihan. “I like the people here. I want to play for coach [Frank] Reich.”
Matt Corral says this draft-night post after Bryce Young was selected had “nothing to do with football.”
— Joe Person (@josephperson) May 22, 2023
Said it was of a personal nature. pic.twitter.com/ofON1lx1sz
Matt Corral: "Me personally, if it was up to me, I don't want to be traded. I like the people here. I want to play for Coach Reich."
— 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙪𝙮𝙡𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙝𝙖𝙣 (@Callihan_) May 22, 2023
Corral finished seventh in Heisman voting in 2021, but missed the ’22 NFL campaign after suffering a Lisfranc injury in the preseason.
With Young, Corral and veteran Andy Dalton in the Panthers’ quarterback room, Carolina’s situation figures to be closely watched as its preseason opener against the Jets on Aug. 12 draws near.
