Panthers’ Frank Reich Confirms Plan to Draft QB After No. 1 Pick Trade

Panthers head coach Frank Reich has apparently nailed down his plans of selecting a franchise quarterback after securing the No. 1 pick in next month’s NFL draft on Friday.

The Bears traded their top selection to Carolina in exchange for the No. 9 and the No. 61 pick in this year’s draft, a 2024 first-round pick, a ’25 second-round pick and Panthers wide receiver DJ Moore.

“Excited about this group of young quarterbacks,” Reich told Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer via text. “We think they have all the strengths that make them unique and worthy of No. 1 pick … We have a little over a month to confirm which is the right one for our team.”

With that, it appears Reich will be taking one of the top passers with the top selection. The franchise will have the opportunity to select from Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis or Florida’s Anthony Richardson.

Verderame: Bears-Panthers Trade Grade: Chicago Can Rebuild, and Frank Reich Will Finally Get His QB

Carolina’s QB room has been a point of contention for several years. The team has fielded a combination of Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Teddy Bridgewater and Cam Newton over the last three seasons. The Panthers never really found stability at the position, and is now yet again on the hunt for a franchise passer.

Reich was hired as the Panthers head coach in January after he was dismissed as the Colts’ coach late in the 2022 season.