CHARLOTTE — The Panthers hope they've found an answer.
But they clearly have hope.
For the last four seasons, the Panthers have been going a year at a time at quarterback. Head coach Frank Reich has been doing the same thing for five years in his previous job.
Now, they've found the player they hope will lead them for years to come.
The Panthers brought an end to seven weeks of speculation since they traded for the top pick by choosing Alabama's Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft Thursday night.
The Panthers approached this decision the way they had so many in recent years — in both bulk and great detail. They sent a dozen or more people to the pro days of all the top four quarterbacks this year, and brought all four in for pre-draft visits to make sure they had a complete picture for a decision of incredible significance.
At the end of the long, thorough, and exhaustive process, they came back to the place the search started — with the former Heisman Trophy winner who led Alabama to the national championship game in his first year as a starter, setting record after record along the way.
Young set Alabama single-season marks for passing yards and touchdowns in 2021 and finished his career second in those categories in school history despite starting for just two seasons. His 79 touchdown passes were the most in a two-year span in SEC history.
You can stack a list of his accomplishments to the ceiling, and the only real question people keep coming back to is his size.
Young measured in at the combine at 5-foot-10 and 1/8 inches and 204 pounds (with 9 3/4-inch hands).
But he's accomplished all these things at this size already, and he's done it with a measure of grace and a sense of self-awareness.
"I've been this size, respectfully, my whole life," he said with a laugh at the combine. "I know who I am; I know what I can do. And for me, I think it's fair. Everyone can speculate and ask whatever question is necessary.
"But I'm going to control what I can control and keep working my hardest to put myself in the best position. I'm confident in myself, I know what I can do, and I'm just excited to get to the next level."
He's not tall. We know that. The Panthers had to ask themselves if it was a dealbreaker. Clearly, it wasn't for them.
So it becomes fitting for him to land here with a team whose history includes 5-foot-9 linebacker Sam Mills, who led an expansion team to the NFC Championship in just their second season.
There's also a wide receiver who overcame long odds despite a short stature, a 5-foot-9 and 3/4 Steve Smith Sr.
Being small's not a prerequisite for becoming a legend here (Cam Newton and Julius Peppers succeeded despite being superhuman), but it's not a disqualifier either.
"It's not a thing the players have to overcome; it's the system and the measurables," Smith said recently. "Some of the people who are part of the evaluation process, they have to get over themselves and adjust. And I think this year's draft is going to show you that the measurables shouldn't be the standardized test to say whether a guy can play, right? I've never heard them say man, that wide receiver's way too tall, and he won't be able to reach down and comfortably tie his shoes. Nobody ever says that.
"So I just think that we use measurables when it's convenient for us."
Mills was inducted into the Hall of Fame last summer.
Smith played 16 seasons, is eighth in the league all-time in receiving yards, and may join Mills in Canton someday.
But the Panthers are at peace with it, and have already built a plan around it. General manager Scott Fitterer said leading into the draft that they're confident he's solid enough to withstand what's coming at this level.
"Nutritionally, we can do some things to educate him. We get him in the weight room," Fitterer said. "You can see when you really look at his lower body, his lower body's gotten bigger. He's put on a lot of mass down there. A lot of times, quarterbacks don't want to lift the upper body because you get a little bit bound-up. But there are some things, he's going to naturally put on size as he ages as well."
Early in the pre-draft narrative, the fact that Reich had only worked with taller quarterbacks became a talking point. Of course, Pete Carroll likely hadn't worked with many smaller quarterbacks before he met Russell Wilson (who was drafted in Seattle when Fitterer was there), or Sean Payton before he worked with Drew Brees.
"If I was looking at it through a positive lens, I would say I played with (or coached) guys that were smaller for their position that had a great ability to stay healthy," Reich said last month. "Marvin Harrison, as a receiver, just had this incredible ability to never take big hits. I played with Barry Sanders. He had this knack of not taking the big hits. . . .
"I think he (Young) is good at being instinctive in the pocket and minimizing — if you're a quarterback, can you minimize the number of hits you're taking and the intensity of those hits? Because you're going to get hit, we all know that. But there's a way to minimize those hits. And you feel it, and you're instinctive."
Young's instincts are what they're banking on now.
His ability to recognize and process information at the line of scrimmage is already legendary. He played in a pro-style offense at Alabama with a longtime NFL play-caller (Bill O'Brien), and has shown his ability to both orchestrate a game and improvise.
He's also done it with humility, the ability to carry himself into big situations around (much) bigger men and lead them.
Smith has met with Young a few times lately in the context of his job as an NFL Network analyst and told Young after his pro day he was convinced he deserved to be picked first overall.
"He played at the highest level, he won the Heisman, and he's played against some pretty stellar competition," Smith said, mentioning that from talking to Young about his family, he believes those lessons came from home.
"Like I said," Smith said flatly. "I think he has been set up to be very successful."
That's what the Panthers are hoping for.
View photos of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, drafted by Carolina first overall in the first round of the 2023 Draft.
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws to a receiver during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) before an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs the ball for a long gain during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks to pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Alabama won 30-24. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game against Kansas State, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up on the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, left, scrambles away from Auburn defensive end Marcus Bragg (98) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up on the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks to pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Alabama won 30-24. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrates after throwing a pass for a touchdown during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. LSU won 32-31 in overtime. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) warmups before an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) calls a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) on the sidelines during a time out against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) works away from pressure from Vanderbilt linebacker Anfernee Orji (0) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs a play against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) rolls to the edge against Louisiana-Monroe during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) drops back to throw against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) drops back to pass against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young warms up for the team's NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) gets ready to run a play against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks down field for a receiver during action against Texas in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Austin, Texas. Alabama defeated Texas 20-19. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) scrambles away from Texas defensive lineman Moro Ojomo (98) and runs for a first down during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Austin, Texas. Alabama defeated Texas 20-19. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young looks to run during the second half an NCAA college football game against Texas, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Austin, Texas. Alabama won 20-19. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) communicates with center, Darrian Dalcourt (71) during action against Texas in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Austin, Texas. Alabama defeated Texas 20-19. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws the ball against Utah State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrates against Texas during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws a pass downfield against Texas during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks to throw a pass against Cincinnati during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws a pass against Cincinnati during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
FILE - Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) works against Georgia during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. Alabama plays Georgia in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 10, 2022.(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs for a gain against Cincinnati during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, front right, runs with the ball against Utah State defensive lineman Hale Motu'apuaka (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
FILE - Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) during warm ups before the start of an NCAA college football game against Auburn Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. Alabama is No. 1 in the preseason AP Top 25 for the second straight season. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs with the ball during the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks to throw against Arkansas during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
FILE - Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrates after defeating Auburn in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs against Georgia during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks for a receiver against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
FILE - Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) reacts after throwing a touchdown to tie the game in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, file)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) passes in the pocket against Georgia during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
FILE - Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws a pass against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) carries the ball against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) reacts as he walks to the line for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Southern Mississippi, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
