How Panthers’ Adam Thielen has become a reliable resource for Bryce Young and Frank Reich

Adam Thielen darted across the field as Bryce Young moved to his right to evade pressure from the Carolina defense. Thielen broke free from a defender near the right sideline, and Young — with 2020 first-round pick Derrick Brown closing in on him in a noncontact practice — tossed the ball where only his veteran wide receiver could catch it.

Thielen, 32, made a diving grab before sliding out of bounds. And while the completion was highlighted as a can’t-miss play by the Panthers’ social media team on Wednesday afternoon, the connection between Young and Thielen has been creating big plays like that one since the spring during organized team activities.

Dating back to May, Young, 22, has used Thielen as a go-to outlet in the passing game. And after the first training camp practice at Wofford College, the rookie quarterback explained why he enjoys getting the ball to No. 19.

“He’s seen it all, and for me as a young guy, having a safety net like that, where you know exactly where he’s going to be, he understands the play, he understands the full play design — he’s always where he’s supposed to be — that’s really important for me,” Young said. “It’s helped me a lot, and he’s the one getting open. So for me, it’s just on me to find him and get him the ball, and he’s doing all the hard work.”

Thielen, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, signed with the Panthers in March during free agency. The 2017 All-Pro was coming off a nine-year stint with the Minnesota Vikings, his only NFL team to that point.

As a former undrafted free agent who turned into one of the league’s most dependable receivers, Thielen is a tremendous asset to Carolina’s new coaching staff during an offseason of radical change. Thielen — who produced 6,682 receiving yards and 55 touchdowns in Minnesota — is also a role model for his teammates.

Panthers head coach Frank Reich has talked about Thielen as if the 6-foot-2, 200-pound playmaker will be a fixture of his offense. Reich also thinks Thielen can help bring his young teammates along as the new staff works to develop weapons like Terrace Marshall and second-round pick Jonathan Mingo.

Essentially, Thielen’s intangibles and experience make him a key cog in the Panthers’ rebuilding process.

“Adam is like another coach on the field,” Reich said. “He steps in the huddle, he’s making sure everybody’s on the same page and then he’s leading by example of how he plays. So the consummate pro and playmaker — really glad he’s here.”

More training camp reading:

▪ ‘Yes, he’s QB1’: Panthers top pick Bryce Young shines in first training camp session

▪ ‘I need to be here’: Brian Burns on why he’s at Panthers training camp during contract talks

▪ Exclusive: Hall of Fame GM Bill Polian on pros, cons of rookie Panthers QB Bryce Young

▪ Panthers training camp takeaways: Jaycee Horn ‘ready to go’, Bryce Young praises Andy Dalton

▪ Bryce Young needs a secret weapon for Panthers. A fellow rookie could fill that role