Reich Celebrates Bryce Young’s Resurgence After Difficult NFL Start

Frank Reich expressed his satisfaction with Bryce Young, after what he described as a “terrible” start to the quarterback’s career in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers. Reich, now interim coach at Stanford, was in charge of Young’s development in 2023, but the relationship was cut short when Panthers owner David Tepper fired Reich after only 11 games of his first season, with a 1-10 start. Young struggled under Reich’s tutelage, something that continued in 2024, when the former Heisman Trophy winner was benched after two games by new coach Dave Canales, only to regain the starting position in late October. “It was terrible for him; it was terrible for all of us who were a part of it,” Reich said Tuesday at ACC media days. “There were so many things to untangle before he could go in the right direction and that takes time. Sometimes you get time as a coach and sometimes you don’t.” Young made the most of his second chance and finished last season with a good performance, completing 65% of his passes for 612 yards, with seven touchdowns and no interceptions in his last three starts. The former Alabama star scored five touchdowns (three passing and two rushing) in the Panthers’ 44-38 overtime victory against the Atlanta Falcons, giving Carolina hope that they had finally turned the tide.

“I’m happy for Bryce,” said Reich, who is considered a quarterback developer. “We all know he was a good player.

Frank ReichWhen asked what he meant by “things to untangle,” Reich declined to elaborate, stating that he was just making a general statement. He added that he does not regret his decision to align Young as a rookie in Week 1.

For me, I still maintain the philosophy that if you are the first pick of the NFL draft, you are the starter,” Reich said. “For me, that’s a universal principle of football. You are picked number 1, you are the starter in Week 1. Now, if the rest of the squad isn’t ready to support you, that’s a different question. And sometimes, it takes a younger guy time to develop.

Frank Reich

Young will begin his third season in the NFL as Carolina’s undisputed starting quarterback when the Panthers kick off training camp on Wednesday in Charlotte.