Panthers fans got their first look at No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young on Friday — if they paid close attention.
Young is listed at 5-10, so jokes about his lack of prototypical quarterback size aren't new to him. He dealt with the questions and concerns throughout the NFL Draft process.
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Regardless, it was still jarring for many to see him behind an NFL offensive line for the first time — especially without pads on. (Video courtesy of The Associated Press reporter Steve Reed.)
QB Bryce Young taking his first snap as a member of the Carolina Panthers at rookie minicamp. @AP_NFL pic.twitter.com/PVvxJuft5f
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) May 12, 2023
Despite the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner receiving praise from coaches and teammates on Day 1 of rookie minicamp, fans opted to poke fun at the low-hanging fruit.
Bryce Young at Practice pic.twitter.com/116G8h2jaw
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) May 12, 2023
Kyler Murray looking at Bryce Young like: https://t.co/IdTiyFxk7J pic.twitter.com/AY95S4lO1s
— Bruce Irons - Packers FTW (@BruceIronsNFL) May 12, 2023
— Justin Spiro (@DarkoStateNews) May 12, 2023
Bro said pic.twitter.com/Top3dTlA2n
— Chandler 🏴 (@82XFactor) May 12, 2023
This commercial was actually prophecy https://t.co/Qt8phKe6S5 pic.twitter.com/nEwvNlcxLQ
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) May 12, 2023
when the varsity QB gets sick and the JV QB is injured and they have to suit up an eighth grader https://t.co/0G8ug4o1Nc
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) May 12, 2023
Social media may have been focused on the obvious, but Panthers coach Frank Reich was intent on seeing results.
"He did everything right, the little throws out in the flat, the little bubble screen stuff that people overthrow — he threw with accuracy, saw it well, knew where guys were supposed to be," Reich said. "He just showed complete command."
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And it appears that no one was happier with Young's work than Reich.
"Bryce made a great impression," he said. "Mentally and physically, he looked the part in every way — we have a sense he's willing to do whatever it takes."
While the Panthers' "fun-sized" quarterback will continue to be the subject of many jokes. fans will have to hope that his size doesn't present an issue when the pads go on and the games count. At the very least, Carolina can have fun disguising plays as Young gets lost behind the line.
