Even though last season did not exactly go according to plan for Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers, it sounds like the young quarterback was still able to grow as a leader for the team.
During a recent press conference, Bryce Young was asked how his leadership styles have differed from high school, college and now in the NFL. And while he has certainly grown as a person and a player, he generally takes the same approach regardless of the level of football he’s playing. And it starts with himself.
“I think I definitely have the same approach, looking back on it,” Young said according to On3. “I think the biggest thing is making sure, at first, I’m holding myself accountable. I’m doing the right things on my own. Making sure that, you know, you’ve got to earn the right to be a leader, and making sure that — I can’t go and tell people to work hard, and then come in and not have that same intensity, not be focused in meetings, not know my stuff, whatever it may be. So, I think it’s similar, in having that same approach, that mindset.
“And then, you know, on top of that, getting the time to learn the guys. You know, really build relationships with people. Not just be someone who’s talking, but someone who you know off the field, and you know, it’s on me to carve out time, and to have those conversations to build that. You know, this being Year 2, a lot of news faces, but a lot of similar guys, as well. Having more time, more connections, and then us all learning a new system, but having a year under my belt, feeling more conformable, having more experiences, you know, I think it’s just on me.
“Obviously, there’s things on the field that I’m growing into, and it’s the same thing leadership wise. Taking steps there, and doing whatever it is that’s best for the team, and I think that’s been a common theme of what I’ve always been working towards at pervious levels.”
Clearly, Young is a very thoughtful leader. We’ll have to see whether or not that translates to success on the field this season.
