Dave Canales ‘pushing’ for younger players to play after regular season opener should tell fans exactly what kind of season 2025 will be
It could be a long season.
The Carolina Panthers’ season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars isn’t what anyone was hoping for another a strong training camp, but I’m sure it’s what many expected to see to kick off the regular season, because it was much of the same.
The Panthers’ defense struggled to defend the run, quarterback Bryce Young made multiple backbreaking turnovers, and Carolina proved to be a team that is still a level behind the rest of the league.
The difference in 2025 is that the team does have the young foundation in place to begin the initial steps forward, but those will be the hardest steps to take as a franchise.
Dave Canales pushing for younger players to play more after Week 1
Based on the comments after the game by Panthers’ head coach Dave Canales, 2025 is going to be another developmental year for the Carolina Panthers and the young roster.
“I’m pushing that. I’d love for all of our young guys to play,” Canales explained on Monday. “I really believe that it’s so valuable for those guys to be out there. Are they going to be perfect? No. Will every rep that they take be valuable and beneficial for their future? Yes.
“I would love for those guys to get opportunities out there so that we can see what we have. Knowing it’s a long season and a lot of people are going to play a different times, it’ll help us going forward. Collectively, as a staff, it’s like ‘let’s play these young guys, we’re going to need everybody.’”
The downside to that logic is that the level of play could go down, which I assume isn’t saying much, by putting in younger and more inexperienced players. At the same time, this isn’t a team many expected to win many games in 2025 and the coaches are starting to feel that way too after Week 1.
Carolina already has some young foundational pieces in place who can play at a high level in players such as cornerback Jaycee Horn, defensive tackle Derrick Brown, and running back Chuba Hubbard. Even new pieces such as free agent addition Tre’Von Moehrig and first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan showed a lot of really good things and clear areas to improve on Sunday.
Looking at the team’s final snap counts from Sunday’s game, three defensive players stand out as players Canales could be referring to when it comes to “pushing” for more opportunities.
Rookie defensive ends Nic Scourton (18 snaps) and Princely Umanmielen (8 snaps) were sparsely utilized against the Jaguars. Fellow rookie safety Latham Ransom (9 snaps) was a player Canales was asked specifically about and noted he will get his chances too after having a strong training camp.
Ultimately, the idea of “pushing” for this is the interesting part. Canales is the head coach of this team, if he wants specific players to get more action, put them in. There shouldn’t be any feeling of not wanting to step on any toes, even if they’re defensive players.
Moral of the story, the Panthers are wanting to see experience and development from this roster. Wins will still come eventually, but not in the way fans were hoping to see in 2025.
Carolina Panthers News
Carolina Panthers HC Dave Canales sticks up for his young wide receivers despite costly mistakes made against the Jacksonville Jaguars
A lot of blame can be placed elsewhere.
