Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young signed a four-year contract worth $37.9 million on Friday, allowing the No. 1 pick in the draft to begin training camp with his teammates on schedule.

Young, already elevated to the No. 1 quarterback spot on the depth chart, was selected first in the draft after winning the Heisman Trophy at Alabama in 2021 and setting a school record of five games with at least five touchdown passes.

General manager Scott Fitterer traded the Panthers’ top wide receiver, DJ Moore, plus the Nos. 9 and 61 picks in the 2023 draft and a first-rounder in 2024 to the Chicago Bears to get in position to select Young.

Fitterer and head coach Frank Reich determined Young had earned the starting job in June, and adjusted the depth chart accordingly with Andy Dalton as the No. 2.

“For me, it’s about earning it,” Young said last month. “I’m grateful to have the opportunity that I have. I still think it’s a process. I’m grateful to be accepted by the team. It’s an amazing locker room, a great group of guys. I want to continue with that. It’s not something you’re just entitled to.”

Young signed Friday afternoon before No. 2 pick C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans) and No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson (Indianapolis Colts).

ESPN and NFL Network reported that Young’s contract is fully guaranteed, matching previous deals for top picks Joe Burrow (2020), Trevor Lawrence (2021) and Travon Walker (2022). Walker’s deal was worth $37.4 million when the edge rusher signed with the Jaguars before training camp last summer. Burrow’s deal was worth $36.19 million over the first four seasons and the fifth-year option — customary for NFL first-rounders — is set at $29.5 million.

–Field Level Media