Cam Newton says the quiet part out loud when talking about the 2023 NFL Draft

"In the mid-form of the season, when you start seeing the skill set come into play, I guarantee it, knowing what we know now," Newton said, "A lot of people would take C.J. Stroud number one over Bryce Young." 

Newton added: "C.J. Stroud is a star." 

The Panthers legend even went on to say that Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, who missed most of his rookie season with an injury, would be taken over Young if the 2023 Draft was repeated in hindsight. 

A lot of Young's success doesn't directly fall on his shoulders. Still, a good part of it does. Young's superpower, coming into the league, was his processing prowess. That wasn't really on display during his rookie season. The hope is that with the playmakers the Panthers have added through the offseason, Young has more opportunities to show the player he can be. 

That doesn't change the fact that Young doesn't have the physical traits that make quarterbacks like Stroud, Richardson and Newton (in his prime) successful. Young isn't physically imposing and won't fire the ball 60 yards downfield.

The Panthers signed up for the talent Young has. Though hindsight is 20/20, Carolina will now have to build around the quarterback it has – for better or worse.