Bryce Young Rumors Denied by Panthers GM Fitterer: 'Still Going Through the Process'

Despite growing buzz that Bryce Young will be the top overall pick for the Carolina Panthers during the 2023 NFL draft next week, Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer is keeping his cards close to the vest.

"That was a decision he made on his own," he told reporters regarding Young's decision to cancel the remainder of his predraft visits, which kicked off more rumors that the Alabama quarterback would be the top overall selection. "I just refer you to his [representatives] and to Bryce as to the why.''

Fitterer also said that the team still hasn't decided whom it will pick at No. 1:

While Fitterer said the Panthers were continuing to evaluate the top four quarterbacks in the Class of 2023—Young, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, Kentucky's Will Levis and Florida's Anthony Richardson—David Newton of ESPN reported that the team had narrowed the decision down to Young and Stroud about halfway through the evaluation process, and that hasn't changed.

The Panthers general manager also said he hasn't directly asked head coach Frank Reich whom he would prefer to draft out of the available quarterbacks.

"The reason I didn't want to ask [Reich] that question was I didn't want to close off our minds to where we like made that decision back in March,'' he said. "But we do see things the same way. We value the same traits, the same characteristics. There's certain things we really want, and that's where the clarity comes from."

"This is a big decision for the organization," he added. "We don't want to lock on to something early on just to decide that's our guy. We want to keep this process open all the way through."

Nobody would blame the Panthers for rolling with Young. The Alabama star and 2021 Heisman Trophy winner threw for 8,356 yards, 80 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions while completing 65.8 percent of his passes in three seasons. If it wasn't for his size (5'10" and 204 pounds), he probably would be the consensus top overall pick given his talent and production in the loaded SEC.

But for now, Fitterer isn't revealing which way he's leaning. It should be no surprise that he isn't rushing what probably will be the most important decision of his career.