Panthers Core Grinding Through Summer: Bryce Young, Thielen, Legette & McMillan Putting in Overtime

When most players are using their summer break to travel, relax, or simply take a breather before the grind of an NFL season, a dedicated group of Carolina Panthers players is doing the opposite. Instead of beaches or golf courses, their summer scenery has been practice fields, film rooms, and weight rooms. Bryce Young, Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, and Tetairoa McMillan have made one thing clear: the offseason is not a time for rest—it’s a time to get better. While the league’s attention may be focused on offseason headlines, this core of Panthers is building something behind the scenes, piece by piece, with sweat, focus, and relentless repetition. What they’re doing now could set the tone for the season ahead.

For Bryce Young, this summer is pivotal. After two seasons of inconsistent results, scrutiny, and growing doubts about his future as Carolina’s franchise quarterback, he knows that everything depends on his performance this year. So, while other quarterbacks might be taking time to decompress, Young is on a mission. He’s reportedly spent countless hours in the film room, breaking down his mistakes from last season and refining his understanding of defensive schemes. But it hasn’t just been mental reps. He’s been actively working on his mechanics, footwork, and chemistry with his receivers—specifically Thielen, Legette, and McMillan. For Young, this isn’t just another offseason. It’s the beginning of what he hopes will be his redemption arc. And he knows he can’t get there alone.

That’s where the receivers come in. Veteran wideout Adam Thielen is no stranger to the grind. Now entering the latter stages of his career, Thielen could easily justify easing up in the offseason. Instead, he’s doing the opposite. He’s become a mentor on and off the field, setting the tone for the younger guys and showing by example what it means to be a professional. Whether it’s early morning route-running sessions or late-night film review with Young, Thielen has thrown himself into helping this offense find its identity. His route precision and reliability have made him a favorite target in tight moments, and he’s working to ensure that chemistry with Young grows stronger ahead of training camp.

Xavier Legette, the Panthers’ rookie wideout with explosive potential, has wasted no time integrating himself into the group. After being drafted with high expectations, Legette understood immediately that talent alone wouldn’t earn him a starting role—it would take effort, commitment, and a willingness to learn. So, instead of easing into the NFL lifestyle, Legette has joined Young and Thielen for summer workouts, treating every rep like it’s midseason. His blend of size, speed, and athleticism is undeniable, but what’s standing out most this summer is his drive. He’s taken the challenge head-on, and his chemistry with Young is already showing signs of promise. The two have been spotted running red zone drills, timing-based throws, and working through playbook installs far beyond required hours.

Then there’s Tetairoa McMillan, another young receiver with a huge upside. After a strong college career and promising flashes in early team activities, McMillan is using this summer to sharpen his game in every area. From footwork to catching mechanics to deep route efficiency, McMillan is determined to carve out a meaningful role in Carolina’s offense. He’s been syncing with Young during informal workouts, aiming to build timing and trust. What’s become clear is that McMillan isn’t satisfied with just making the roster—he wants to contribute now. And he’s proving that through his offseason dedication, showing up early, staying late, and treating every day like it matters.

What makes this group’s summer work so important is that it’s happening away from the spotlight. There are no mandatory practices, no coaching demands, no media attention during these extra sessions. This is the type of work that defines culture—when players take ownership of improvement not because they’re told to, but because they understand it’s necessary. These are the days where timing gets built, chemistry gets forged, and confidence takes root. When the Panthers’ offense steps onto the field in September, what happens in these quiet, grinding summer sessions may be the reason they look more cohesive, more explosive, and more prepared than ever before.

It also says a lot about leadership. Bryce Young, despite his struggles, isn’t shrinking from the challenge. He’s facing it. Rather than waiting for camp or relying solely on coaches to fix what went wrong last season, he’s taking the initiative. He’s leading these sessions, setting the schedule, calling the reps, and working through the playbook like his job depends on it—because it does. For a young quarterback, that’s exactly what you want to see. And when receivers like Thielen, Legette, and McMillan rally around that kind of effort, it becomes contagious.

There’s also a growing sense of accountability within the group. Mistakes in drills aren’t brushed off—they’re corrected. Routes aren’t just run—they’re perfected. Throw after throw, route after route, these players are building trust and timing in a way that can’t be faked. That trust will be critical come game time, especially in pressure situations where instinct and chemistry are the difference between a completion and a missed opportunity. These reps matter more than outsiders realize. They’re the glue that holds an offense together when the games get chaotic.

The impact of this offseason work isn’t just limited to the passing game. When a quarterback and his receivers are in sync, it opens up the playbook for the entire offense. Defenses can’t key in on one guy, and spacing improves across the field. That, in turn, helps the running game, keeps the offensive line cleaner, and gives the coordinator flexibility to be more aggressive. It’s a domino effect, and it starts with the kind of grind these four Panthers are embracing this summer.

For a team like Carolina, coming off a tough season and still in the process of rebuilding, every edge matters. Culture isn’t just about slogans or locker room speeches. It’s about what players do when no one’s watching. And what Young, Thielen, Legette, and McMillan are doing right now is laying a foundation—not just for themselves but for the entire team. Their commitment to getting better, even when it would be easier to relax, speaks volumes about where this team could be headed.

As training camp approaches, coaches will undoubtedly take note of the work being done outside of scheduled practices. It shows initiative, leadership, and hunger—qualities that can turn a struggling offense into a competitive one. And for a Panthers franchise looking to climb out of the NFC South basement, those qualities are exactly what they need more of.

This summer isn’t just another break for these four players. It’s a turning point. It’s a chance to rewrite narratives, to establish new chemistry, and to prove that they’re not satisfied with mediocrity. Whether it’s Bryce Young fighting to secure his future, Adam Thielen guiding the next generation, Xavier Legette trying to make an early impact, or Tetairoa McMillan rising from prospect to playmaker—every one of them is putting in the work to change what Carolina Panthers football looks like moving forward.

And when the season kicks off, don’t be surprised if this overlooked summer grind turns into game-day execution. Because championships aren’t won in July, but the habits that lead to wins often are.