Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young continued his late-season surge to prove he should be the starter heading into 2025 with a 40-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Adam Thielen late in the first half of Sunday’s game at Tampa Bay.

Bryce Young with a 40-yard dot to Adam Thielen for their second TD connection today!

📺: #CARvsTB on CBS/Paramount+

📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/EinMM3bvoh— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024

It was Young’s 12th touchdown pass in 13 games this season. That’s one more than he had in 16 starts a year ago after being the top pick of the 2023 draft.

All 12 have come in the 11 games since he returned after being benched following an 0-2 start.

With the game getting out of hand, the 34-year-old Thielen split double coverage and Young connected with him perfectly for the touchdown to pull Carolina within 27-14 late in the first half. The 40 air yards were the longest completion of any kind in Young’s NFL career.