Thomas Brown: Wednesday was Bryce Young’s best practice yet

Wednesday was a huge day for the Carolina Panthers and Bryce Young, as the rookie quarterback returned to a full practice after sitting out in Week 3. And according to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, it was also the best day yet for the No. 1 overall pick.

Brown spoke to reporters this afternoon, just a few days ahead of the team’s Week 4 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. He was asked about hitting the practice field again with Young, who seems to be trending towards playing on Sunday.

“I would say, honestly, probably felt like—and I told him this morning in the offensive unit meeting—it was probably his best day this fall,” he replied. “When it comes to not just the execution, he’s been really good when it comes to understandin’ the offense and bein’ a fast processor. But the energy, the enthusiasm of steppin’ into a huddle, callin’ a play with conviction, coaching his guys up from a receiver standpoint, O-line up front. Just kinda bein’ the maestro, if you will, when it comes to offense—it was the best job he did, in my opinion, so far this year.”

Young missed this past Sunday’s 37-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, one where backup Andy Dalton threw for 361 yards and a pair of touchdowns. So, given the relative success of the offense from that outing, Brown was also asked what he believes Young learned while on the sideline.

“I think being able to understand, to learn from a veteran—how he operated, but also the sideline communication, the energy he brought to entire group down in and down out,” he said. “But also just makin’ the plays when the plays are to be made and also doin’ a really good job of takin’ care of the football, too.”

As long as Young doesn’t suffer any setbacks in the next few practices, whether or they’re better than his best or not, he’ll get a chance to apply those lessons this weekend.