The Carolina Panthers’ plan this offseason became very clear on Friday after making a blockbuster move with the Chicago Bears for the N0. 1 pick in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. They will be taking their next franchise quarterback with the pick. Head coach Frank Reich discussed his optimism about the quarterback prospects in the class after he was notified of the trade on Friday.
Most see this draft class to have four quarterbacks that are worthy of a first-round selection. Those players include Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis, and Florida’s Anthony Richardson.
Reich didn’t reveal who of these players he wants with the selection. He instead gave a very vague response, saying that he is excited about the quarterbacks in the class and he sees strengths in all of them.
“Excited about this group of young QBs,” Reich told Albert Breer of NBC Sports Boston in a text exchange. “We think they all have strengths that make them unique and worthy of the #1 pick. We have a little over a month to confirm which is the right one for our team.”
Panthers coach Frank Reich, via text, on acquiring the first overall pick: “Excited about this group of young QBs. We think they all have strengths that make them unique and worthy of #1 pick … We have a little over a month to confirm which is the right one for our team.”
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 11, 2023
This vague response from Frank Reich has led to a ton of speculation from Panthers fans on who they believe they will take.
This essentially confirms what I suspected for a long time.
Frank Reich took the HC job on the condition he was guaranteed an opportunity to hand pick and develop a young QB.
Now he has that chance. https://t.co/Fl2T8SJI0L
— Erik Duerrwaechter (@EDuerrwaechter) March 11, 2023
Its CJ Stroud. https://t.co/f4pHUWKtpr
— Austin Howard (@Austin__NFL) March 11, 2023
@lilrocketnasa they not trading lmao. They gettin Stroud https://t.co/GtqWyf4UeA
— CJ🦥🥶 (@Slothhh17) March 11, 2023
It’s Anthony Richardson. He’s their new Cam.
— Blitz Alerts (@BlitzAlerts) March 11, 2023
Others are somewhat concerned that the Panthers traded a massive haul for this pick, and at least to this point are not revealing their plan with the pick.
Right…
So this is either an unnecessary hand guarding vague answer
Or
They really haven't decided yet
If the latter is true
At the price paid
Thats very troublingCuz to this point I dont see a QB who you HAVE TO HAVE in this class https://t.co/A1hlyOM1LO
— Tyler Menting (@FootballUnlock) March 11, 2023
https://twitter.com/BigCheeseTC/status/1634379750553665540
Way to not tip your hand https://t.co/Ubi4bFDcyI
— Edgar Salmingo, Jr. ✌🏽 (@PanthersAnalyst) March 11, 2023
Reich and the Panthers could very well just be keeping their plans close to the vest and not revealing them to the public just yet. Regardless, considering how much they traded to Chicago to make this happen, they better be certain that they get their guy with the first overall pick.
