Bryce Young Reveals Cam Newton's Advice; Panthers GM Says QB Is 'on a Mission'

There is probably nobody better suited to give Bryce Young advice than Cam Newton.

Newton, who was the Carolina Panthers' No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft, offered some of that advice to Young, who was the Panthers' No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, this offseason.

"Just to keep your head down,'' Young said Tuesday when discussing what Newton told him, per ESPN's David Newton. "Obviously, when you're in the moment or anything in life, it's easy to get caught up in that. ... Just like any[thing] in life, there's going to be ups and downs. [He told me] just to persevere, to push through things.''

Young struggled in his rookie season and went 2-14 as a starter while throwing for 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The struggles were magnified by the success that C.J. Stroud enjoyed as the Offensive Rookie of the Year who led the Houston Texans to the playoffs after he was the No. 2 overall pick.

Yet there is still optimism in Carolina.

"I love Bryce,'' Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said. "He's one of the hardest-working men in that locker room right now. I know he's on a mission. I know he's committed to being great. I know he's committed to this franchise and making this franchise great.''

The franchise was great for times when Newton was under center.

The three-time Pro Bowler won the league MVP and led the Panthers to the Super Bowl during the 2015 campaign as a dual-threat playmaker who was nearly impossible to bring down in the open field as a runner while possessing the ability to beat defenses with his arm as well.

"I've picked his brain about some things,'' Young said. "I'm grateful for him for caring so much about the organization, the city. I have a ton of respect for him now, I had a ton of respect for him growing up. I loved watching him play.''

Young still has a ways to go to reach Newton's level of play, but there is nobody better to help him than the man himself when it comes to navigating the pressure of being the face of the franchise for the Panthers.