Panthers HC Dave Canales Has 'Specific Plan' for Bryce Young; No 'Big Fix' Needed

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young struggled in his first season, but the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft will get a fresh start under new head coach Dave Canales.

For his part, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator doesn't believe a "big fix" is needed for Young. Rather, he said the goal is to "build an offense that we can be proud of," "elevating the whole group" and "asking Bryce to do his part."

"We're not talking about a guy that there's a big fix for," Canales said about Young.

"You're looking at an accurate player, a really smart player. He's aware of what's happening, and we've got to build the whole thing around him, the whole offense around him, and something that we can say, 'this is our identity.'"

The Panthers are trying to bounce back from a 2-15 season that included the firing of head coach Frank Reich after just 11 games (1-10).

Last season couldn't have gone much worse for Young, who only threw 11 touchdown passes in 16 games. Young also had some big lowlights, including a pair of pick-sixes against the Indianapolis Colts and a seven-game stretch where he failed to throw for 200 yards.

The talent is undeniably there, though. Young shined at Alabama, winning the 2021 Heisman Trophy. He and Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud were both heavily featured in the No. 1 overall pick debate a year ago, with Young ultimately earning the honor. Stroud is now the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, while Young is finding his footing in the league.

Canales can certainly help him get there. He just worked some magic in Tampa Bay in Year 1 of the post-Tom Brady era, helping guide the Bucs to the NFC South title and a playoff win.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield, who was one year removed from the Panthers releasing him in the middle of his first season in Carolina, enjoyed an incredible resurgence with 28 touchdowns and 4,044 yards.

Canales can certainly work wonders in Carolina, too, although part of the problem is that the Panthers simply didn't put Young in a good position to succeed either, mainly in terms of personnel. Some work is needed there, but Canales has a track record of getting the most out of his talent, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him excel with Young, too.