Panthers’ Tepper, Reich Split on Which QB to Draft at No. 1, per Report

Carolina traded up to the top overall selection last week.

The Panthers decided to trade up to the No. 1 overall pick six weeks before the NFL draft will take place, giving them time to figure out which quarterback they want. And it is a good thing the draft is next month because it seems like they need some more time.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, there is a rumor that Panthers owner David Tepper and head coach Frank Reich are split on which quarterback to take.

“There’s a belief that David Tepper loves Bryce Young, [and] Frank Reich likes CJ Stroud,” he said. 

Schefter added that he brought this idea up with a member of the organization, and that person claimed that they were interested in all the quarterbacks available.

“They said ‘We love all these quarterbacks, and we have 48 days to make a decision on which one we will be taking.’”

There’s a belief that #Panthers owner David Tepper loves Bryce Young, according to Adam Schefter. pic.twitter.com/Yjzv3JDehI

— Edgar Salmingo, Jr. ✌🏽 (@PanthersAnalyst) March 11, 2023

Young and Stroud were the two best quarterbacks in the country two years ago, and for the most part, they kept that production last year.

Carolina is likely going to choose between Young, Stroud, Anthony Richardson and Will Levis for the No. 1 pick. While the team has some connections with Stroud already, Young entered the draft process as arguably the top quarterback available in the draft.

The Panthers’ decision to trade up early gives them time to properly evaluate all four quarterbacks knowing that they are all available. Additionally, according to a report last week, it is still possible the team chooses to trade back depending on those evaluations.