Dave Canales sends a clear message about Kenny Pickett’s long-term outlook after joining the Panthers
The former first-round pick has clear expectations for 2026 and long-term aspirations for his career beyond this upcoming season.
Lost among all of the big-fish signings made by the Carolina Panthers in free agency was the decision to bring in former first-round quarterback Kenny Pickett to give the team a more athletic backup option behind Bryce Young.
Having that kind of player at the quarterback position was critical for the Panthers in case Young were to miss time in 2026 while also allowing Young to spread his wings as a leader without a veteran presence behind him to turn to.
As for Pickett, himself, Carolina becomes his fifth team in five years, far from the career he expected for himself when the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted him 20th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.
“I just really wanted to get in a great system with great people,” Pickett said. “That’s just where I am right now, taking it a day at a time, working really hard this offseason to improve my game in the weight room, on the field. This new system is really my main concern right now. I’m really not trying to look too far down the road. I want to be a positive addition to this team and help any way I can.”
Dave Canales understands the long-term goals Kenny Pickett has for his career
Panthers head coach Dave Canales was one of the top advocates for bringing Pickett to Carolina after first meeting the quarterback four years ago in the pre-draft process. At the same time, Canales understands Pickett only signed a one-year deal and long-term aspirations for his career after this upcoming season with the Panthers. For the time being, it’s an ideal solution for all parties involved.
“I believe this is a player who’s on the rise, who’s trending towards having another opportunity as a starter,” Canales said of Pickett. “He’s not here to do that. He’s not here to compete with Bryce to be the starter. But I see a guy like Geno Smith, like Baker Mayfield, like Sam Darnold. I see a guy who’s accumulating enough playtime and experience and exposure to different systems, seeing different defenses, with his ability, with his mind, the way that he works. I see a guy that’s going to have another opportunity.”
Canales has been a part of something similar before. In 2020, Canales was the passing game coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks when the team opted to bring in Geno Smith to be the backup behind Russell Wilson. After two seasons, Smith was given the reigns and able to revitalize his career by turning that opportunity into a situation where he started 64 games over the last four seasons.
“[Geno] had nothing but great things to say about [Canales],” Pickett explained. “To hear it from a player who worked with him, it was awesome.”
This season will be a great opportunity for Pickett to be surrounded by a strong support staff and an exceptional locker room. He understands what his role is going to be and the expectations he will have from his new staff. After the season, Pickett hopes to get his career back on the rails as a starting quarterback and the Panthers will need another succession plan ready for the QB2 spot.
“I love being a part of that story,” Canales said. “And I love that he chose to come to Carolina to take the next step in his career. And I just want to be a part of that story and to see where he goes from there.”
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