Panthers get validation they made the right decision by hiring Dave Canales as the next HC from someone he was close to

There are still several unknowns for the Carolina Panthers as the team moves forward with its offseason process.  The two knowns: Dan Morgan is the general manager for the foreseeable future, and Dave Canales is the coach tasked with resuscitating Bryce Young's career after a horrible rookie season.  Recently, former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith […]

Ian Kayanja
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) walks off the field after the game of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars blanked the Carolina Panthers 26-0. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Image via Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union

There are still several unknowns for the Carolina Panthers as the team moves forward with its offseason process. 

The two knowns: Dan Morgan is the general manager for the foreseeable future, and Dave Canales is the coach tasked with resuscitating Bryce Young's career after a horrible rookie season. 

Recently, former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith spoke to Charlotte-based reporters, where all he had to say were positives regarding Canales' energy and approach to football. Namely, what stood out to Smith was Canales' calm when troubled water approached.  

“In a highly stressful business, you don’t want guys who wear it on their facial expressions, or you can tell if something’s not right," Smith said, as reported in The Athletic. "He’s gonna always have the same calm demeanor. He’s got a great perspective, not just on football but on life. He’s gonna help those young men, not just grow up as athletes but grow up as people.”

Canales' track record doesn't only have Smith's revived career on his resume. He also has Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal-caller Baker Mayfield. 

Mayfield, after operating in Canales' system, is now a candidate for the AP Comeback Player of the Year award. He also enjoyed a career season by throwing for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns. 

For Young, he is hoping that Canales can do the same for him. During his rookie season, Young's offense sputtered and struggled to reach the endzone. Part of the blame fell on Young's shoulders — another aspect of the blame fell on the lack of offensive weapons. 

Canales' only job is to get the most out of Young. It is why the Panthers hired him. And Smith's advocacy for him is proof of the concept that Carolina may have finally made the right decision. 

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