Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper has expressed unwavering support for rookie quarterback Bryce Young following the decision to dismiss head coach Frank Reich on Monday. Despite the success of Houston Texans’ rookie C.J. Stroud, Tepper emphasized his confidence in the choice to draft Young with the first overall pick in this year’s draft, acquired through a trade with the Chicago Bears.
Tepper addressed the media in a Tuesday news conference, stating, “We are totally confident in that pick” regarding Bryce Young. The Panthers’ decision to opt for Young over Stroud, who has been enjoying a standout debut season with the Texans, was influenced by Reich’s evaluation. Reich had previously mentioned that their focus was on Bryce Young throughout the drafting process.
Reich’s departure after just 11 games in charge has raised speculation, with some members of the NFL community suggesting that his assessment of the quarterbacks, coupled with the team’s 1-10 record, contributed to his firing.
According to ESPN stats, Bryce Young ranks 29th in the NFL among qualified players with a 32.3 adjusted QBR and 31st with a 74.9 passer rating for the season. In contrast, C.J. Stroud boasts an impressive eighth place with a 62.7 adjusted QBR, sixth with a 100.8 passer rating, tied for seventh with 19 passing touchdowns, and leads with an average of 296.9 passing yards per game.
Tepper acknowledged discussions about originally considering the No. 2 pick to secure Stroud, assuming the Texans would choose Bryce Young. However, he reiterated their preference for Bryce Young, emphasizing that he was their top choice.
As of early Tuesday afternoon, oddschecker heavily favored C.J. Stroud at -9000 betting odds for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, while Bryce Young was not prominently featured in those discussions as December approaches.
The commitment to Bryce Young by Tepper is seen by some, including Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, as a potential complicating factor in the Panthers’ coaching search. Florio suggested that some coaches might be hesitant to coach Young based on his height. The extent to which Tepper’s support for Young influences the coaching search and whether top candidates would be deterred from the Panthers remain uncertain.
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