What should the Carolina Panthers and its long-suffering fanbase expect from quarterback Bryce Young during the team's 2023 rookie minicamp?
All eyes will be on Bryce Young as the Carolina Panthers welcome draft picks and unheralded prospects for their 2023 rookie minicamp. The festivities begin on Friday and run through the weekend, which is the first chance each has to impress the new, elite-level coaching staff in pursuit of roster spots or prominent roles next season.
Young has more expectations than most on his shoulders. That comes with the territory after the Alabama product was taken No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, but it's nothing the signal-caller hasn't experienced before throughout a glittering career to date.
The Panthers have placed a significant amount of faith in Young. However, those in power are making him earn everything, which begins at No. 2 on the quarterback depth chart behind veteran free-agent signing Andy Dalton.
The hard work starts now for Young. Here are three things the Panthers and fans can expect from their new franchise quarterback during the team's rookie minicamp in 2023.
Thing to Expect No. 1
Expect high-level work ethic from Bryce Young
One thing that separated Bryce Young from other prospects looking to hear their name called first during the 2023 NFL Draft was his mentality. The player's meticulous preparation, work ethic, and overall knowledge of football-related concepts left a notable impression, with Frank Reich claiming his football IQ was on the level of talents such as Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck.
Expect to see all this and more when Young takes the field at Carolina Panthers' rookie minicamp. He needs to set the tone for others to follow, which is almost the minimum requirement for any quarterback aiming to become a true franchise presence at the position.
Expect infectious enthusiasm from Bryce Young
Bryce Young might not be the most flamboyant quarterback to ever step onto a field. Certainly not compared to Cam Newton - the Carolina Panthers' last franchise signal-caller that completely transformed the organization from top to bottom.
However, don't let Young's quiet and well-spoken demeanor fool you. He is fiercely competitive, bringing everything he has to practice and providing a level of assurance that players naturally gravitate towards.
And according to former teammate Will Anderson Jr. - who went to the Houston Texans at No. 3 overall - Young isn't afraid to do a little trash-talking in practice. Something we might see a little more of now that the player is removed from the highly disciplined college environment implemented by Nick Saban at Alabama.
Fans and the Panthers are naturally excited about Young's arrival. But it's easy to forget how amped up the player will also be to finally start focusing on football again.
It seems like an age since his last taste of competitive action during the Crimson Tide's bowl victory over Kansas State on New Year's Eve. So there's no doubt Young will be chomping at the bit to firmly establish himself.
Expect an infectious level of enthusiasm from Young right out of the gate. Something that will stand him in good stead ahead of providing similar energy when the time comes to link up with established figures for OTAs.
Expect outstanding poise from Bryce Young
Another area of Bryce Young's game that looks more than ready for a smooth transition to the professional ranks centers on poise. There isn't much - if anything - that rattles the quarterback, which only adds to expectations heading into his first NFL campaign in 2023.
The media world will be watching Young closely as he takes the field this weekend. With the spotlight only going to get brighter as the preparation period progresses, having the poise to cope with every scenario is going to be a massive asset for the player to call upon.
This also translates to his teammates, too. It won't take long for Carolina's rookies and veterans to have an increased level of confidence in Young, who's come through in the clutch on countless occasions throughout his football journey to date.
Of course, the question mark surrounding Young's durability against formidable NFL-caliber defensive linemen is something to monitor. But the word flustered is not in the signal-caller's vocabulary when one examines his full body of work on the biggest stages.
Although there won't be any contact until the regular season arrives, Young's ability to see the field and process information rapidly will be on full display. Something that is sure to draw rave reviews from teammates and coaches alike.