Sweet home Carolina! Bryce Young arrives at the Panthers where he is greeted by owner David Tepper one day after being selected by the franchise with the No. 1 overall pick
- The 21-year-old hugged owners David and Nicole Tepper after arriving
- The quarterback was then introduced to the media in a press conference
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Bryce Young, the No. 1 draft pick of 2023, arrived Friday in his new home, Carolina, to join the Panthers after the team selected him in the first round.
The quarterback landed in Carolina early Friday afternoon before heading to the Panthers facilities after being selected as No. 1 by the franchise on Thursday night.
The 21-year-old, dressed in a steel blue blazer and matching trousers and his Panthers draft cap, was greeted by Carolina’s owners.
He hugged David Tepper and the pair exchanged a few words before turning to hug Nicole Tepper.
The Panthers’ new franchise quarterback was then introduced to the media, where he insisted he was entitled to nothing.
2023 No. 1 Bryce Young arrived in Carolina on Friday to join the Panthers
The 21-year-old was greeted by Carolina’s owners, David (center) and Nicole (left) Tepper
“I want to do everything I can to earn the respect of my colleagues – the guys in the locker room, everyone in the building,” he said.
“I’m super thankful for what happened in my past and being selected where I was. But I know that doesn’t entitle me to anything.
“It’s up to me to prove myself – to show up and work every day and earn the respect of those around me. And that’s something I’m looking forward to starting.”
Thousands of fans had gathered to welcome their new signal caller, while owner Tepper set the crowd ablaze before his arrival.
As he walked toward the entrance to the building, Young stopped to greet fans and sign helmets and footballs.
General manager Scott Fitterer sent four draft picks — including two first-rounders — and wide receiver DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears last month in a blockbuster deal that allowed the Panthers to move up eight spots and pick their quarterbacks.
With the first pick, the Panthers chose Young from Alabama, over CJ Stroud, who was runner-up by the Houston Texans, and Anthony Richardson.
Carolina has tried several options under center including trading for Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield, signing free agent Teddy Bridgewater and drafting Matt Corral in the third round last year.
They even brought Newton back for a second stint and considered Deshaun Watson before he ended up with the Cleveland Browns.
The Alabama quarterback signed helmets and footballs for fans gathered to welcome him
The Panthers’ new franchise quarterback was then introduced to the media
The humble youngster insisted that being the No. 1 overall pick didn’t entitle him to anything
But nothing has worked.
The Panthers are only 29-53 in the past five seasons and have yet to make it to the postseason since David Tepper bought the team for a then-NFL-record $2.3 billion in 2018, making it the second richest owner in the world. league craved a playoff contender.
Young has shown he can win games and comes to Carolina with a reputation as a high-IQ quarterback who excels at making quick decisions. Young is especially successful as a pocket passer, but can also play on the run.
It is unclear whether Young will start immediately.