Panthers WR Adam Thielen: Bryce Young was 'probably too quick' as a rookie

The “wow” throws from Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young are real . . . and they’re spectacular.

Adam Thielen, the team’s leading receiver from last season, spoke on Young’s growth this summer following Sunday’s practice. He was asked why he thinks the 23-year-old passer has upped the degree of difficulty on his chucks.

“Yeah, I think him just feeling really comfortable, trustin’ it,” Thielen replied. “Probably maybe some of those throws, he wouldn’t even attempted last year. Don’t know why—but I would imagine a lot of it is just comfortability in the system, in what he’s doing, in his footwork.”

Thielen did a lot of heavy lifting for Young in 2023. The 33-year-old vet recorded 103 catches, 1,014 yards and four touchdowns over 137 targets—each his highest total since the 2018 campaign.

He was then asked about Young’s release, something that’ll be key in head coach Dave Canales’ quick-hitting passing offense.

“I think honestly, in a good way, it just feels like it’s on time this year,” Thielen said. “And honestly, he was probably too quick a lot of times last year. So you can just really see he’s just trusting his progression. He’s going through his reads, he’s finding guys in rhythm, in timing.

“And again, not to say he wasn’t on time, he’s probably too on time sometimes last year. The way he sees the game—he can see coverage, he can see things, process them quicker than a lot of guys.”