Panthers' Thielen: 'Everything was stacked against' Young last season

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen believes quarterback Bryce Young was put in a challenging situation in his rookie season.

"I think everything was stacked against him last year, unfortunately," Thielen said on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football."

"And I'm not gonna get into detail 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 is gonna put a good plan together to help him be successful, and also to put people around him to help him be successful."

Young did not live up to expectations in 2023, going 2-14 in 16 starts with 2,877 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Carolina traded multiple first-round picks and wide receiver DJ Moore for the right to draft the Alabama product first overall in 2023.

Carolina's struggles led to a series of in-season moves that complicated matters for Young. In mid-October, former head coach Frank Reich surrendered play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown to try and spark the offense.

Reich reassumed those duties a month later but lasted just two games before owner David Tepper fired him after a 1-10 start to the year.

"His maturity level over the season was really cool to see. And his ability to handle adversity," Thielen said.

"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 (that) makes me excited about Year 2 with him."

The Panthers completely reworked the infrastructure around Young for his second season. They hired Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales as their new bench boss, and Canales also brought in a variety of new coaches to work with Young. Canales and the Bucs staff helped revive quarterback Baker Mayfield's career in 2023.