New Panthers HC Dave Canales has a mountain to climb to turn around the team’s messy last season
Following a disastrous first year in the NFL, Bryce Young needed assistance, which he received from Dave Canales, who has introduced several new pieces to help Young improve in his second season.
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Dave Canales Panthers rebuild (Image via IMAGO)
Turning a 2-15 Carolina Panthers side into a playoff-worthy team will be a massive task for Dave Canales, considering he has to answer David Tepper, arguably the worst owner in the NFL. On top of that, Canales has the mammoth task of re-establishing quarterback Bryce Young’s confidence, which crumbled into pieces in his rookie year.
After the Panthers took Young, parting ways with 9th overall in 2023, receiver DJ Moore, second-round pick, 2024 first pick (Caleb Williams), and 2025 first-round pick, the expectation was through the roof. It was evident from the get-go that Tepper made a mistake when Young threw two picks on week 1, then went to record 300 passing yards games twice all season, ending head coach Frank Reich’s first year in Carolina after just 11 games.
Tepper was clearly losing his marbles, throwing a glass of water at Panthers fans, but he did go out of his way to take Dave Canales out of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ hands. Canales was key to the revival of Baker Mayfield and Geno Smith in Seattle before Tampa. So, bringing the best out of Bryce Young should not prove too much of a challenge for him.
What went wrong for the Carolina Panthers in 2023?
In an episode of Ryan Clark’s Pivot Podcast, CJ Stroud, who was selected right after Young, defended him.
You can’t make a play if somebody don’t block. You can’t make a play if somebody don’t catch a ball. And when you watch the tape, Bryce did a lot great things. He’s gonna be a great player.CJ Stroud pointed out
While Young faltered to get going, Stroud had arguably the best rookie campaign for a quarterback. Ironically, Tepper had the chance to take Stroud, but they backed off because of the OSU graduate’s aptitude numbers.
Stroud may be on to something about Young’s reasons for a bad first year, but even he can’t deny that the Alabama graduate’s confidence was all-time low. According to StatMuse, Young held onto the ball the longest after the snap, allowing opposing pass rushers to sack him.
Even though the Panthers’ offensive line consisting of Taylor Moton, Ikem Ekwonu, Bradley Bozeman, Brady Christensen, and Austin Corbett who finished 16th overall per PFF, they failed to impress Tepper. Morton got 74.6, the highest among all of them for the second consecutive year.
Tepper’s decision to release edge rusher Brian Burns was a massive mistake. Burns was the Panthers’ best player in 2022, for whom they received corner Donte Jackson even though he’s just 26. Moreover, Pro Bowl running back Miles Sanders did not feature at all after racking up 1269 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Philadelphia Eagles just a year prior.
Dave Canales’ attempt at improving the Panthers
Canales and general manager Dan Morgan went shopping and it was expensive as so often the case for struggling sides. They spent a combined $153 million to acquire guards Robert Hunt from Miami (5 years $100 million), and Damien Lewis from Seattle (4 years $53 million).
There is a way to win games in the NFL and it’s defense, it’s the run game and it’s an explosive pass game that comes off of that run game.Dave Canales said in his first press conference as Panthers head coach said per Associated Press
In the draft, the Panthers took receiver Xavier Legette, running back Jonathan Brooks, and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders. Brooks will fight for a place against Chuba Hubbard, the only attacker who had success last season, receiving a 77.2 grade from PFF. They also traded for receiver Diontae Johnson from Pittsburgh, and are trying to poach free agent Micheal Gallup.
I see a great combination of some experience, high football character, some talent in spots… The great teams that I've been on in Seattle over the years, up and down, the great ones, you had depth. I think that's really where we are.Dave Canales said in a recent press release
Additionally, the Panthers re-signed corner Troy Hill and is waiting for 2021’s 8th overall pick Jaycee Horn to become fully healthy.
We have to minimize damage with exotic pressures and things like that. So, I think just elevating the whole group and [really] asking Bryce to just do his part.Canales had said in February
Keeping that in mind, Canales and Morgan, brought in safety Jordan Fuller who has a Super Bowl ring and is only 26. Fuller will be coached by his former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. He will combine with Xavier Woods.
The Panthers chased after Patrick Queen but he chose the Steelers. So the responsibility of being the linebacker would be on Josey Jewell who has recorded over 100 tackles in his three injury-free years. DJ Wonnum will have the hardest task of replacing Burns. He signed a two-year deal after racking up a career-best 62 tackles last season.
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Ishan Misra
(3186 Articles Published)