(Note: This is Part I of a two-part series behind the Panthers decision to trade up and select Bryce Young No. 1 overall in the 2023 draft.)
Before the 2023 NFL draft the Carolina Panthers front office had a monumental decision to make:
Continue on the hamster wheel of mediocrity, or trade up from No. 9 to No. 1 and draft a franchise quarterback.
Owner David Tepper and GM Scott Fitterer chose the latter.
From a strategic standpoint, it was absolutely the right move.
Carolina’s front office traded up for the No.