Adam Thielen, the veteran wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, knows the 2023 season wasn't easy.
However, as he looks back on the lessons learned, he claims it taught him about himself – which will only help as he moves into the 2024 campaign.
“It was probably the biggest growth I’ve ever had as a person, as a player, ever in my life just because I had to be the person that I say I am day in and day out,” Thielen said, via an interview with Paul Allen of KFAN. “I had to kind of check myself at the door every single day because things weren’t easy, things weren’t going smooth.”
Thielen was the Panthers' most reliable wide receiver during Bryce Young's rookie season.
He racked up 1,014 yards, 103 catches, and four touchdowns on the year. If Thielen couldn't get going, the Panthers' passing game stalled out – appearing listless and lifeless.
Heading into the 2024 campaign, Thielen is in a completely different situation. Carolina added Diontae Johnson through trade and drafted Xavier Legette at the tail end of the first round.
With both players appearing to play a large role within Dave Canales' offense, Thielen will have ample opportunity to play a similar role he has his entire career. Now, he will be doing so with the mental acumen of suffering through a disastrous two-win season.
