QB Bryce Young gets preseason opening start against Jets

PHOTO | CHANELLE SMITH-WALKER

Bryce Young (right), the top pick in the 2023 NFL draft, will make his first professional start Saturday in a preseason game against the New York Jets.

The Carolina Panthers’ quarterback rotation is set for their preseason opener Saturday against the New York Jets at Bank of America Stadium.

Rookie Bryce Young will make his NFL debut. Thirteen-year veteran Andy Dalton likely will be held out, giving third-stringer Matt Corral an extended look.

While Jake Luton wasn’t mentioned during Thursday’s Zoom call with coach Frank Reich, the fourth QB should take at least a few fourth-quarter snaps.

“I just want those guys to get in there and get some reps,” Reich said after Thursday’s second joint practice at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., was rained out. The team broke camp with a walk-through workout instead.

Established quarterbacks, like the Jets’ Aaron Rodgers, are predominately held out of preseason games, fearing season-altering injuries. Rodgers is not expected to play Saturday.

Reich, however, will throw Young, the 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick, into the fray. Young has impressed the coaching staff and his teammates with his on-field ability and maturity throughout rookie minicamp, offseason training activities, mandatory minicamp and of training camp.

“Bryce is made up the right way,” Dalton said via Zoom while driving from Spartanburg to Charlotte. “He’s done a great job since he’s been here. I’m excited to see how his career starts and everything he’s able to do this year.”  

Can Young transform his raw assets into his first NFL appearance?

“I think he’s checked every box that he was supposed to check through training camp, taking over the huddle, the leadership, his role of leadership in the locker room and on the field, his command of the offense," Reich said. “Obviously, there's a lot of attention and focus on being the first pick of the draft and being our starting quarterback. So, I get that.

“Bryce has looked good. He’s continued to progress, like the rest of the guys on the team.”  

In his first season guiding the Panthers and flanked by a relatively new coaching staff and revamped roster, Reich is more concerned with how the squad’s new elements mesh in game conditions.

“We love where we’re at,” he said. “I just continue to be impressed at the leadership of his team. This team has really strong young leaders, and the breadth of leadership is good. And the way we work, the way that this team works out of practice.

“How hard the players push themselves in individual periods, it’s impressive. I got a lot of respect for the way we’re working as a team, and it’s creating a good foundation for us.”
While Young will start Saturday, Reich was noncommittal on how many series he will play.

Miles Sanders, who is expected to open the regular season as the Panthers’ featured running back, recently tweaked a groin muscle and was held out of Wednesday’s joint practice with the Jets. He is not expected to play Saturday, but likely will not be sidelined long-term, Reich said.

For the most part, the Panthers escaped training camp without a major injury scare, providing an opportunity for most of the first teamers to play against the Jets.  
“We just feel like we’re at a different stage,” Reich said. “A lot of teams won’t play their starters in the preseason. We’ve talked as a team from the very beginning and said, ‘Hey, we're going to play in the preseason.’  

“We talked to the guys about that upfront. And just so that everybody would understand what’s ahead of us, and just how it’s necessary for us to do that (with) new schemes, new coaching staff, young team. And plus, we start the (regular season) off with two division opponents, so we've got to get ready to go.”

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