The Carolina Panthers narrowed their options for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to quarterbacks C.J. Stroud of Ohio State and Bryce Young of Alabama .

The Panthers picked Young. Stroud went to the Houston Texans at No. 2.

What if Carolina had chosen Stroud and Young gone to the Texans? Would their careers have changed with their uniforms? Would Young have enjoyed Stroud’s success and Stroud shouldered Young’s struggles?

“I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be,” Young said when asked that what-if question on Thursday. “I’m sure C.J.’ll say the same thing. God doesn’t make mistakes. Everything happens for a reason, so I’m super grateful to be a Panther.

“Again for me, from my standpoint, always just trying to improve as a team, as a unit, as a group. We’re trying to keep going,

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