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
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