The chemistry between the QB and center is very important.
Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young has a new center, veteran Luke Fortner.
The Panthers acquired Fortner this offseason and the 28-year-old is recently spoke about developing chemistry with Young.
"There are lots of things that come in, and you say, 'Hey, I do things this way, and I've heard it done this way, but I prefer this.' And you definitely talk through a lot of stuff," Fortner said, via Panthers.com. "But there are so many things that, you get on the field and something happens, and then you're like, oh wait a minute, I didn't realize you're going to do it like that. So there's a lot of time on task, but there's also things you come in and you know may be different. somewhere along that spectrum."
Fortner's first three years were spent with Trevor Lawrence, who is 6-6. Last season, he was snapping to Tyler Shough, who clocks in at 6-5.
That is a seven- to eight-inch difference from Young, but Fortner isn't worried about it.
"There's really not much," Fortner said. "The only thing is Trevor might be able to catch a snap that's a little higher than Bryce, but put it where it's supposed to be, you don't have to. I mean, there's no world in which it's not my fault on that one."
Young finished the 2025 season with 3,011 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 216 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He led the Panthers to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 campaign.
The first overall pick in the 2023 draft, Young enters next season with 8,291 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns, 30 interceptions, 718 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in a Carolina uniform. He's 14-30-0 as a starter.
Young is set to make $12.1 million next season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. His fifth-year option is worth a guaranteed $25.9 million.
Most NFL insiders don't expect the Panthers to sign Young to an extension this offseason since the QB has been too inconsistent. Young has to play well again next season to earn an extension.
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