Adam Thielen: Bryce Young is ‘different in a good way’

Panthers WR Adam Thielen seems to be in awe of Bryce Young’s natural feel for the game, something you don’t see quite often in rookie QBs.

It’s only taken one summer for Bryce Young’s teammates to figure he’s something special.

On Monday, MMQB senior NFL reporter Albert Breer published his feature on the Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback. Included in the waves of praise for the 22-year-old is the following excerpt quoted from veteran wideout Adam Thielen:

“It’s his ability to kind of feel for the game,” Thielen says. “A lot of times, it takes time to get that feel. For him, it seemed to come pretty natural. … It’s the timing mixed with feel and comfort, and being able to make the defense do what you want them to do, but still do it in timing. A lot of times, guys, they want to do that, so they do all those things, then they’re late because they’re trying to do too much. There’s a lot more feel to it. … You start seeing things with him, you’re like, O.K., that’s different in a good way.”

Even while producing at an underwhelming rate in the preseason—having completed seven of his 12 throws for 56 yards over two exhibitions contests—Young has shown the feel, comfort and anticipation Thielen raved about. The perfect example came this past Friday against the New York Giants, when he read a blitz on his second drive and immediately got a dart out to receiver Jonathan Mingo—who thumped on for a 15-yard gain.

Thielen would get some of his own work as well, as Young found him later on in the possession for a smooth connection to pick up the sticks.

This upcoming Friday will mark the end of an impressive summer for Young, who will be starting against the Detroit Lions for the preseason finale. And perhaps we’ll get one last glimpse of the future before it begins on Sept. 10 in Atlanta.

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