Carolina Panthers quarterback coach Josh McCown understands and appreciates the opportunity he has before him.
The 16-year NFL veteran QB spent mostly as a backup, stands in position to be mentored by the first-year coach Frank Reich, another longtime backup QB. McCown steps into the role responsible for molding the 2023 NFL Draft’s No. 1 overall pick, Bryce Young.
But he feels protected.
Standing guard, the Panthers return a seasoned offensive line, sans right guard. On McCown’s flanks, he has two experienced wideouts in DJ Chalk and Adam Thielen and second-round draft pick Jonathan Mingo. Plus, there is a new featured running back Miles Sanders.
Sure, there are questions at tight end, but McCown did his pre-draft research, starting with his playlist.
BREAKING: The #Panthers have hired former NFL QB Josh McCown to be their new QB Coach.
A 16 year NFL veteran, McCown last played football in 2019 with the #Eagles.
An underrated hire by Frank Reich!
(h/t: @AdamSchefter)#KeepPounding #JoshMcCown pic.twitter.com/YkQJVxzsi9
— The Athletes Plug (@TheAthletesPlug) February 11, 2023
Josh McCown: ‘The Playlist Is All-Encompassing’
Studying the top college quarterbacks via video clips, McCown analyzed the prospects through his digital playlist, broken down into different scenario tabs. Among them, there were down-and-distance snaps, clock times, third-down plays, two-minute offense drives and, in a deep dive, incomplete passes.
“The playlist is all-encompassing with its good, bad, ugly,” McCown said during a Zoom call with reporters Wednesday. “It’s because you want to get a clearer picture of who this player is.”
McCown started with the basics, researching the throwing motions of each prospect, detailing their play-processing mentality, their footwork, throwing angles and, of course, toughness.
One of the final evaluation steps McCown used was consistency.
After studying his playlist, one QB stood out: Young and his high football IQ and processing skills.
Then, there were the nuances McCown used to get a sense of command the QBs had at the line of scrimmage. Most looked to the sideline for pre-snap advice. Young rarely needed to.
He exited the huddle with a “menu of plays,” McCown said. “I felt like he did it less than anybody else, as far as looking at the sideline. I felt like they (members of Alabama’s coaching staff) armed him with more before the snap, and he just kind of handled it.”
Josh McCown works with Bryce Young on day 1 of rookie minicamp pic.twitter.com/5TZtklBVlL
— Augusta Stone (@augustalstone) May 12, 2023
Bryce Young Learned Pro Game At Alabama
Aided by McCown, the Panthers’ due diligence on QB prospects targeted Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, who went No. 2 overall to the Houston Texans. The Panthers scouted both QBs in person, but predominately on tape.
Young was coached by Crimson Tide offensive coordinator and QB coach Bill O’Brien, who currently oversees the New England Patriots offense. Young developed under O’Brien’s NFL tutelage, running a pro-style offense dependent on the QB making the right reads.
The only Alabama QB to pass for more than 3,000 yards during consecutive seasons, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner finished his college career with 80 touchdowns.
“Those are the things that get you excited,” McCown said. “Then (there’s) processing, throws, the accuracy, you’re looking for all those physical traits. Ball location, when you have got a guy open, is he anticipating? He’s trusting his guy to be there.”
McCown’s trusting Young to be there, too. The two have worked together on the field for just over a week, practicing for the first time last Friday during rookie minicamp.
During OTAs, which started last Monday, McCown continues to monitor the rookie’s progress.
McCown, who interviewed for the Texans’ head-coaching job last year, understands the opportunity he possesses with the Panthers, with helping to mold Young.
His playlist is rockin’.
Here's the full Josh McCown presser from today, worth watching for insight on that new QB, as well as how he approaches his job. https://t.co/gFp6Ysu8qp
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) May 18, 2023
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
