When the Carolina Panthers lured Dave Canales away from the rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, many across the NFL saw the hire as the first step to improve Bryce Young.
The 2023 first overall pick gets the chance to use 2024 as redemption, with the former Bucs offensive coordinator now in the quarterback’s corner. But will this mean Thursday night’s preseason opener against the New England Patriots becomes Young’s first attempt at a stronger second season?
The Latest on Bryce Young’s Playing Status Versus the Patriots
Fans of the Panthers are likely eagerly waiting to see how the rookie head coach unlocks Young’s potential. Particularly since Canales worked his previous magic with two other struggling high draft picks in Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield — both of whom became Pro Bowl QBs under Canales’ watch.
Unfortunately, those fans won’t be able to see Young get his hands on running Canales’ system out the gate during a live game.
Canales told reporters during the week leading up to the Pats game that he plans to rest his projected QB1. Canales cited the fear of getting Young injured in August as to why he’s opting to rest him.
“You can’t play scared, but you’ve got to be smart, and so yeah, it’s a factor for sure,” Canales said to reporters regarding the risk of injury. “We’re thinking about that. With the guys we’re counting on, we’re definitely taking that into consideration here.”
How To Watch Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots
Here’s how fans can watch the Thursday night preseason battle taking place at Gillette Stadium.
Start time: 7 p.m. ET
Channel: NFL Network
Live streaming options: NFL +, Sling TV, Fubo
What To Expect From Young in 2024
Again, Carolina pivoting to Canales speaks to the franchise turning to an established QB improver.
Before Smith came to Canales, the former second-round selection with the New York Jets only had one 3,000-yard season — his 2013 rookie year. By Year 3 with the Seahawks, Smith delivered a career-best 4,282-yard season in 2022 with Canales as his quarterbacks coach and helped earn Seattle a Wild Card playoff appearance.
Up until last season, Mayfield never experienced his own 4,000-yard season until Canales became his offensive coordinator. The former 2018 No. 1 overall pick delivered 4,044 yards in making the Pro Bowl, while also leading the Bucs to a repeat of the NFC South title.
Canales now gets the chance to work with a quarterback who completed only 59.8% of his throws. Worse, the Heisman Trophy winner from Alabama got sacked 32 times on third-down scenarios and delivered a completion percentage of under 60.1% when it came to throws beyond 15 yards, according to TruMedia.
Young went 2-14 overall as a starter (he was not in action for the Sept. 24 loss to the Seahawks 37-27). He finished 2023 throwing for only 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns, and got picked off 10 times.
Going from Frank Reich to Canales isn’t the only major change involving Young, though.
Does Young Have a New Supporting Cast?
Adam Thielen is back again following a team-high 103 receptions for 1,014 yards. Jonathan Mingo also returns after hauling in 43 catches for 418 yards in his league debut.
But Canales and the Panthers made sure Young would have new weapons to turn to.
It all began with the March 12 trade for Diontae Johnson. By sending cornerback Donte Jackson and a sixth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Panthers landed a 2021 Pro Bowler who not long ago caught 107 passes for 1,161 yards and scored eight touchdowns that season in the Steel City.
But Johnson isn’t the only intriguing addition. The Panthers decided to get even younger and faster by pulling off the aggressive opening draft night move to crack the first round.
After not holding a first-round pick due to trading up for Young the year prior, Carolina managed to work a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs to acquire the 32nd selection and proceeded to take Xavier Legette, a local star out of South Carolina.
Legette gives the Panthers a chiseled 6’1″, 221-pound option for Young. But like Young, the rookie is likely to rest for the preseason game against the Patriots after leaving practice earlier in the week with a reported leg injury.
With Young sitting Thursday night, Canales is down to Jake Luton and rookie Jack Plummer as his only active QB options at Gillette Stadium. Backup Andy Dalton is also likely not to play, as he’s been described as “dinged up” during camp practices.