After the hiring of Dave Canales as head coach, quarterback Bryce Young expressed his positive sentiments regarding the team camaraderie within the Carolina Panthers’ locker room. Despite being a top pick in the 2023 draft, Bryce had a challenging debut season with the team, which resulted in the worst record in the NFL. His stats showed 11 touchdowns to 10 interceptions, failing to meet expectations. Although Bryce broke records for most passing yards in a single game (559) and won the Heisman Trophy while at Alabama, his progress seemed to have stalled in his first year in the NFL. Frank Reich lost his job halfway through the season due to the team’s poor performance. However, Bryce believes that the criticism they received last season has brought the players closer together, and with the appointment of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Canales as head coach, there is a heightened sense of solidarity within the group. In an interview with TMZ, Bryce elaborated on how the team’s struggles have helped them bond.
He shared that despite the Panthers’ struggles on the field, they have become a stronger team this year. He feels that he has grown and learned, and is excited to improve during the offseason and for year two.
When Canales was appointed as head coach, some were surprised as he had never held the post in the NFL before and had only called plays in Florida for one season. However, he received praise in 2023 for helping Baker Mayfield turn his fortunes around as a starter. Canales created a plan that allowed Mayfield to shine in Tampa Bay.
Panthers fans are hopeful that Canales can have a similar impact on Young’s NFL career as he takes on his first head coach role. After Tampa Bay’s success, there is an expectation that the 42-year-old can galvanize the team in Carolina.
David Tepper, the owner of the Panthers, expressed his trust in the newly appointed individual, stating that Dave’s success-oriented background, innovative mindset, and positive energy make him an excellent fit for connecting with players and staff. The team is impressed with his ability to bring out the best in players. Dan Morgan, the incoming Panthers President of Football Operations/General Manager, also welcomed the appointment with enthusiasm, expressing excitement to work alongside Dave again. Morgan praised Dave’s understanding of what it takes to build a successful team, gained from coaching multiple position groups. He also noted Dave’s infectious personality that resonates with players and everyone he interacts with, expressing confidence that this will translate to success on the field.
