Panthers two-time Pro Bowler expands on defense of Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers veteran wide receiver and two-time Pro Bowl selection Adam Thielen repeatedly defended Bryce Young amid Young's struggles as a rookie quarterback.

Thielen expanded on such takes during an appearance on the NFL Network "Good Morning Football" program.

"Yeah, well, I'll say this: I mean, I think everything was stacked against him last year, unfortunately," Thielen said about Young, as shared by Kevin Patra of the league's website. "And I'm not gonna get into detail as to why that was, but I'm just really excited for him to have a fresh start, an ability to have a good coaching staff that's gonna put a good plan together to help him be successful, and also to put people around him to help him be successful."

The Panthers made Young the first pick of the 2023 NFL Draft amid concerns related to his size after he measured at 5-foot-10 1/8 and weighed 204 pounds at the combine. Panthers owner David Tepper later fired head coach Frank Reich in late November while C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans was emerging as the clear favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Tepper then dismissed general manager Scott Fitterer after Week 18.

According to ESPN stats, Young finished the regular season ranked 29th in the league with a 33.4 adjusted QBR. Across 16 games, he tossed 11 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.

Carolina hired former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales as head coach after Canales helped Baker Mayfield, an undersized signal-caller, become a Comeback Player of the Year candidate this past season. Canales may be just what Young needs to turn things around, but Thielen noted that the former Alabama Crimson Tide star already showed plenty of growth while dealing with difficult situations.

"His maturity level over the season was really cool to see," Thielen added about Young. "And his ability to handle adversity. I don't know how much adversity Bryce has had over his football career, and to handle the amount of adversity he did, to show up every week, week in, week out, put his head down and work, try to lead to the best of his ability was really impressive, and what makes me excited about year two with him."

Such public votes of confidence from a locker-room leader likely mean plenty to Young. Canales may believe he can get the best out of Young, but the coach also has little reason to stay married to the 22-year-old beyond the 2024 season if Young again fails to impress in a "what have you done for me lately" business.