The contrasts are equally if not more obvious: totally different "superpowers" and team circumstances.
Lewis' angle, though, that a huge payoff is possible by sticking to the process – leaning into McCarthy's growth despite his growing pains – is well supported and an experience Thielen can relate to because he served as Young's favorite target from 2023-24. Now, Thielen is helping guide McCarthy amidst adversity.
"I'm sure he's leaning on a ton of experience from the last few years that (included) some _really_ tough moments," Thielen said about Young, whose annual passer rating has climbed from 73.7 to 82.2 to 86.0.
Below is a snippet of Lewis' story, which you can read fully [here](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815494/2025/11/18/jj-mccarthy-vikings-bears-turnaround-bryce-young/).
_The Young comparison is not nearly as rosy as Josh Allen, who rewired his mechanics after a rough rookie season. Thielen, though, nodded aggressively when asked whether he thinks it's fair to link the journeys of the two. Young didn't immediately acclimate to NFL speed. Young missed metaphorical layups. He, too, stood at a lectern after games, owning his poor play and urging himself to be better._
_McCarthy, by all accounts, attacks growth. So did Young. McCarthy can handle an extensive game plan. So could Young. They're markedly different types of throwers, and their initial offenses featured vastly different levels of talent. However, they were 22 years old and overmatched from the start._
The main takeaway that cannot be overstated is improvement takes time – and McCarthy deserves that.