When Carolina and New York square off in an NFL preseason game on Saturday, Panthers quarterback Bryce Young will play while Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will not.

But on Wednesday, both QBs were playing at the Carolina training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The Panthers and Jets are holding joint practices on Wednesday and Thursday.

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“He came up to me before practice,” Young said, “and we were able to exchange some words there, which was super cool for me. A really great experience. …

“It was more just general talk. He talked a little bit about his experiences and wished me luck and asked me about how things were going. We both were warming up, so we both kind of had to get back to our teams and periods. But just for him to take the time and come out and say something, I really appreciate it. I have the utmost respect for him.”

A four-time NFL MVP, Rodgers is preparing for his 19th NFL season. Young is getting ready for his first after the Panthers chose him from Alabama at No. 1 in the NFL Draft on April 27.

“Be gentle with yourself,” Rodgers said was his advice to Young. “It’s a long journey. It feels like every little snap and practice is the end of the world if it doesn’t go right. It’s not true. It’s a long journey. It’s about holding on to your confidence and enjoying the ride, enjoying little things every day. But I think he’s got a great head on his shoulders. He’ll be just fine.”

Rodgers said his interaction with Young shouldn’t be considered “mentorship.”

“I’m not here to mentor Bryce,” Rodgers said. “He’s got a great one in (Carolina quarterback) Andy (Dalton), who’ve I’ve known for a long time, too. Awesome guy. I just wanted to get to talk to him, tell him what a fan I am of his. I love how he carries himself.”

Young said finding out Rodgers was an admirer meant a lot to him.

“That was definitely an honor to hear,” Young said. “Someone who’s definitely been a big fan of his for a long, long time now, so hearing that, it definitely was great to hear. It definitely does mean a lot to me.”

Rodgers said he liked Young’s game before the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner entered the NFL.

“I like the kid a lot,” Rodgers said. “We share an agent, so I’ve known about him for a long time. I loved watching him in college. I like his demeanor. I like his movement. I like the way he throws. I trust a guy like (Carolina wide receiver) Adam (Thielen). Him and I are good buddies for a long time. And he just raves about him, so I think Carolina’s in good hands.”

While Rodgers was directing New York’s No. 1 offense against Carolina’s No. 1 defense on Tuesday, Young went against the Jets’ No. 1 defense with the Panthers’ No. 1 offense.

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“It felt like he’s an unbelievable point guard, being able to deliver the ball where it needs to go in a timely fashion,” New York coach Robert Saleh said of Young after practice. “A super, super great young man with tremendous football IQ. I think we speak for everyone: We think he’s going to be pretty damn good.”

The Jets and Panthers meet at 3 p.m. CDT Saturday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. NFL Network will televise the game.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @AMarkG1.