If playing quarterback is the hardest job in professional sports, imagine what it’s like to be a rookie signal-caller. Now imagine what it’s like to be a No. 1 overall pick and the presumed (hopeful?) savior of a franchise.
These are the massive shoes Bryce Young is currently wearing and trying to fill. Based on a new report, he doesn’t seem bothered by his responsibilities at all.
According to NBC Sports’ Peter King, the Carolina Panthers had a vital meeting discussing protections and how to account for defensive fronts to start their training camp. This is, of course, nothing new for every team and standard process as offensive installs for the season go into overdrive in late July. Getting everyone on the same page is a big step forward for the regular season.
“One night early in Panthers’ training camp, offensive players and coaches in a meeting room, a vital two hours for a new coaching staff and an offense with potentially new players at every skill position. ‘Pizza and Protections,’ it’s called, with a stack of hot pizzas on hand to make it a relaxed setting. How will this offensive line block regular and “exotic” fronts, and what terminology will be used to call it in the huddle?”
However, rookies, especially quarterbacks, don’t usually lead these meetings due to their inherent complexity and nuance. First-year passers have a lot on their plate and aren’t expected to digest everything seamlessly. The idea is that they can acclimate to the NFL at their own pace without having too much on their plate.
Yet, Young reportedly led the Panthers’ coaching staff and 35 of his teammates through the table-setting conversation anyway. He did it with aplomb, like a seasoned veteran.
“Bryce Young, the rookie quarterback, 22 years old, wanted to run the meeting with 35 players and nine coaches. Reich was stunned to hear this. But he figured, ‘Why not? This guy is more advanced than any rookie I’ve coached.’
“How’d he do?” I [King] asked.
“Phenomenal. Flawless. Flawless. He knew everything,” Reich said. “It was a pretty amazing night.”
There’s no guarantee this transfers to anything of significance for Young during his rookie NFL season. The Panthers’ supporting cast on offense needs a lot of work, and there will still assuredly be some curveballs that throw Young for a loop once defenses are trying to flummox him in live action.
But for the young quarterback to take on a complicated meeting concerning protections — one of those skill sets that takes time to learn — speaks volumes. The Panthers might have a special one under center, provided he can build on his tremendous knowledge base.