New Panthers head coach Dave Canales has big plans to assist quarterback Bryce Young and wants to develop a powerful offensive lineup.
Too often Carolina have tried to build a team to help Young instead of creating sustainable pathways to success.
“I think it’s not about surrounding Bryce with great players; it’s about building a great team, and then Bryce can just do his part of it,” Canales said Thursday.
“That’s my goal. That’s my heart for this whole thing. I want him to be able to feel like he can just come and just do his 1/11th. If he can just do his part, look at the great teams he was a part of in Alabama. He won a lot of games when they had a good offense and a good defense. He did his part, and he played big in big moments, and I would love to create that here so he can just do that part of it and not make it about him.”
Young had a disastrous rookie season in 2023 but to be fair his receivers were about as likely to run into space as Elon musk is to run on Mars.
Adam Thielen was the only extraterrestrial specimen in a team of robotic humanoids.
Carolina have upped their game plan trading for Diontae Johnson and key offensive linemen.
The draft could see a few more weapons in a running back and another receiver.
“It’s not about getting playmakers for Bryce, it’s about getting playmakers for our team,” general manager Dan Morgan said. “For our organization. Who’s best going to fit our team? Who’s going to make plays? Who’s gonna take the ball away on the defensive side of the ball? Who’s going to put the ball in the end zone on the offensive side of the ball?”
Canales said, “The pass game will be specific to Bryce, will become that, you know, it will become what he’s confident with and what he can do,” he noted. “… But I just kind of want to try to build the team the right way.”
The Panthers are making the right noises as they look to finish as playoff contenders and not bottom feeders.
