Young is the former No. 1 overall pick from 2023 and started all 16 games he appeared in as the Panthers finished 2-15. He threw for 2,877 yards and just 11 touchdowns to 10 interceptions and will certainly have plenty to improve upon this coming year.
Newton is the perfect person to go to for that advice having been in his shoes as a former No. 1 pick to the Panthers 13 years ago in 2011. He would go on to win the MVP by his fifth season in 2015, taking Carolina to the Super Bowl where it fell against Peyton Manning and the Broncos.
Although Young and Newton have different playing styles, he still feels he has taken a lot from his few conversations with the former Panthers star.
“I’ve had a couple of exchanges with Cam,” Young said. “We’ve talked multiple times. Obviously he’s been here and he’s done great things here so I try to pick his brain about some things. I’m grateful for the support and I’m grateful for him still caring so much about the organization and about the city.
“That’s someone obviously that I have a ton of respect for now and had a ton of respect for growing up. Loved to watch him play. So just any time I get to ask questions — we’ve had a couple of conversations — so that’s been great.”
Not all of the issues in Carolina’s passing game this past season were related to Young. The Panthers tied for the second-most sacks allowed in the league with 65 and also lacked explosive playmakers in the receiving corps.
They made up for both of those shortcomings this offseason by adding former Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson in free agency and drafting South Carolina wideouts Xavier Legette in the first round. They also signed guard Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt, both of whom are expected to start.
Young showed some promise as a runner that wasn’t always on display for him in college last year to rush for 253 yards. Hopefully that wasn’t just the result of having to evade pressure so often and he can take a few tips from Newton this offseason as Carolina looks to get better.
The Panthers will play their first preseason game on Aug. 8 against the Patriots.
