The Carolina Panthers have a massive decision on their hands when they make their top overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. It is assumed that they will be taking their future franchise quarterback with the selection. Panthers quarterbacks coach Josh McCown may have accidentally leaked the Panthers’ plan for the pick on Wednesday.
Panthers head coach Frank Reich and McCown went to Ohio State’s pro day on Wednesday to see highly-touted prospect, C.J. Stroud. As Reich and McCown were saying their goodbyes to Stroud, McCown appeared to hint that the Ohio State product will be a Carolina Panther in April.
McCown and Stroud were apparently discussing playing a game of horse. McCown appeared to bring Stroud close and whisper that they will play their game of horse when Stroud “lives in Charlotte”.
“We’ll find a court and play some horse,” said McCown in the video originally shared by Nick Carboni of WCNC Charlotte on Twitter. “Maybe when you live in Charlotte.”
#OhioState QB C.J. Stroud meets with #Panthers contingent after his Pro Day. QB Coach Josh McCown says "You spun it well, bro, that was great. That was awesome.
Then the two proceed to schedule a game of horse, Stroud saying "I'm gonna take his money."
📹: @shawndunagan pic.twitter.com/UIWFY1DvUe
— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) March 22, 2023
This was likely not something that was supposed to be heard from McCown. Regardless, many noticed his comments on social media.
Is Stroud the Panthers pick?
“When you live in Charlotte…” https://t.co/wwTtIUHPnn
— Josh Sanders CBS News Philadelphia (@JoshBSanders) March 22, 2023
"When you move to Charlotte"
Looks like Josh McCown is getting his first talking to about not talking in front of cameras and the Panthers are taking C.J. Stroud.
What a time to be alive. https://t.co/lCL3Exw9Th
— Chris Shepherd (@NFLscheme) March 22, 2023
“Maybe when you live in Charlotte” https://t.co/BwJzJARf29 pic.twitter.com/GB0LqMYDUA
— Eric Crocker 🥷🏾 (@Crocky209) March 22, 2023
“Maybe when you live in Charlotte…”. Stroud to Carolina confirmed https://t.co/oDOO3x49S0 pic.twitter.com/v2DRLmQ7Hu
— Chris Lea – Sportscaster (@ChrisLeaTV) March 22, 2023
Q-B-1 https://t.co/vEjm3p07bA
— John “Supi” Supowitz (@ImThatSupi) March 22, 2023
If Stroud is indeed the No. 1 overall pick in April by Carolina, it would certainly be a deserved honor. C.J. Stroud absolutely dominated the last two seasons at Ohio State, throwing over 40 touchdown passes each of the last two seasons.
It will certainly be interesting to see if this comment from McCown is confirmed by the Panthers’ front office in the coming weeks. Regardless, it seems pretty safe to say that Stroud will in all likelihood end up in Carolina.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.