𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝟐 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡!…

In his second year as head coach of the Carolina Panthers, Dave Canales is bringing a renewed sense of energy, leadership, and confidence to the team—qualities that appear to be deeply embedded in the culture he’s been building since day one.

As training camp kicked off in Charlotte, North Carolina, the atmosphere was noticeably more subdued than the year before. Unlike 2024’s opening with cheering fans and autograph seekers, this year’s start was quieter due to stadium construction, which prevented fan attendance. Still, that didn’t dampen the spirit on the field. In fact, the energy—particularly from Canales himself—was unmistakable.

This shift reflects not only the practical differences from year one but also the emotional and psychological evolution of the team. Canales, now more seasoned and sure of his approach, is setting ambitious expectations. “The sky’s the limit for this group,” he confidently told the media after practice. “I’m expecting this to be a very competitive team. I don’t think people are going to want to play us by the style of football that we play.”

This optimism comes after a rocky start in 2024, when the Panthers began the season 1–7. Many believed Canales might become yet another casualty under team owner David Tepper, who had already dismissed Frank Reich and Matt Rhule midseason in recent years. But Canales remained steady, sticking to his beliefs and systems, just as he did during his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as offensive coordinator and previously as a position coach with the Seattle Seahawks. His consistency in leadership began to earn him deep respect in the locker room, especially as the season progressed.

Veteran wide receiver David Moore, who has worked under Canales in both Seattle and Tampa Bay, observed a clear shift in the coach’s presence. “His vision is clearer now,” Moore said. “He’s not a rookie anymore. He knows what to expect, and you can tell he’s excited about it.”

Much of this excitement is fueled by the emergence of quarterback Bryce Young. After a difficult rookie season in 2023 and a poor start to 2024, many had written off the former No. 1 overall pick. His early 2024 performance was among the worst statistically for a starting quarterback, prompting Canales to make the bold decision to bench Young in favor of veteran Andy Dalton. While controversial at the time, that move ultimately allowed Young the opportunity to regroup and reset.

Dalton’s later injury gave Young a second chance—and this time, he seized it. Over the final three games of the 2024 season, Young posted an impressive 111.6 passer rating, with seven touchdowns, no interceptions, and three rushing scores. It was a dramatic turnaround and a key reason why Canales and general manager Dan Morgan felt confident investing further in the quarterback’s development.

Morgan praised Canales’ willingness to make difficult decisions, calling them essential in leadership. “Sometimes you have to make hard decisions in power positions,” he said. “He made our decision last year. We are where we are now.”

Canales’ choice to bench and then bring back Young was not just a coaching move—it became a defining moment for his leadership style. According to Moore, “He saw something that we all didn’t see… For him to instill that in Bryce, and for Bryce to go out and showcase his talents… that was kind of big, especially for Dave.”

Even Pete Carroll, the former Seahawks head coach and now Las Vegas Raiders head coach, praised Canales for his handling of the quarterback situation. During the NFL owners meetings, Carroll referred to it as a “masterful job,” adding that Young clearly benefited from the time spent learning behind Dalton.

Heading into the 2025 season, Canales has fewer questions hanging over his head than he did a year ago. With Bryce Young firmly entrenched as the starter, the focus has shifted to growth and refinement. The Panthers used their eighth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to select wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, passing over a chance to strengthen what had been the league’s worst defense. The decision was a clear vote of confidence in Young, signaling that the team is building around him offensively.

Canales explained that the offense’s development is now in sync with Young’s progress. “The pace of our offensive development, evolution, is growing at the pace of Bryce,” he said during June minicamp. “He’s showing such great mastery of what we’re doing that he’s allowing us to evolve and do more things.”

This connection between quarterback and coach is central to the Panthers’ renewed sense of purpose. Yet Canales isn’t just relying on his quarterback—he’s pushing the entire roster toward a player-led culture. That has been a hallmark of successful teams throughout the league and something Canales learned from his time in Seattle under Carroll. Morgan echoed this, noting, “All the good teams around the NFL—they’re player led. We’re trending in that direction.”

Part of that trend is seen in how Canales engages with players and empowers them to be leaders. Guard Robert Hunt pointed to the coach’s consistency, even in difficult times. “This s— gets hard, man. People typically turn to run or start doing different s—. But he’s been the same guy. I respect that.”

That consistency is now manifesting in trust and stronger relationships throughout the team. Moore summed up the coach’s Tuesday speech: “The main thing was relationships, and how if we have strong relationships it can take us a long way… [Last year] he didn’t know. He just knew we had players. Now he kind of knows.”

Canales himself acknowledged the difference between year one and year two, saying, “It feels a lot different knowing that I have a group of leaders that have my back.”

The mood across Panthers camp is one of quiet confidence. While no one is promising a return to the glory days of 2015, when Carolina finished 15–1 and reached the Super Bowl behind Cam Newton, the players and coaches alike seem to believe they’re heading in the right direction. There’s a sense of unfinished business, of a team hungry to make up for lost time and prove doubters wrong.

As Canales pushes forward with a clearer vision, a deeper bond with his players, and a rejuvenated quarterback at the helm, the 2025 season is shaping up to be a defining year not only for the Panthers, but also for Canales himself—a coach whose belief in culture, character, and consistency could very well turn Carolina into one of the NFL’s most surprising teams.