With no shot at the playoffs and no first-round pick to look forward to in April, the Panthers can only hope for signs that Bryce Young is improving at quarterback in the final weeks of a disappointing season.
Young showed some of those signs on Sunday against the Packers. Young rushed for a season-high 312 yards and led two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter that helped the Panthers pull within a 30-30 tie against the Packers. Green Bay ultimately won with a field goal in the final minute of the game, but the performance came on the heels of its win over the Falcons in Week 15 and was celebrated by others on the team after the game.
Interim coach Chris Tabor said Young was in “complete control” and outside hitter Adam Thielen said it was a stepping stone to even better days.
“Man, impressive,” Thielen said via the team’s website. “Really what I and a lot of us have seen in OTAs and training camps. Just that confidence, that kind of attitude. And then you make a few plays together for him and watch out, he has the hot hand, as we say. This is obviously super impressive and I’m looking forward to building on it.”
Thielen's fellow wideout DJ Chark was also impressed, saying, “In three, four or five years he'll definitely be at the top of the league, if not one of the best QBs.” It remains to be seen whether Chark's prediction is correct, but Any game that leaves this impression is a welcome development after many difficult tasks for the rookie.