Things are finally starting to turn around for the Carolina Panthers. They've won three of their last four games, dispelling the narratives that last year's late-season resurgence was a fluke. To make matters even better, it appears they benefited significantly from an offseason trade that was initially questioned.
When Carolina traded Adam Thielen away just before the start of the season, many experts criticized the decision. The Panthers' receiving corps already seemed thin, led by young players without a proven track record. The two-time Pro Bowler was the stable veteran presence that Bryce Young needed, and they shipped him off.