Panthers HC Dave Canales, Owner David Tepper Met After Blowout Week 1 Loss vs. Saints

New Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales had a meeting with team owner David Tepper after just one game at the helm.

"It means a lot to me to make sure that I connect with him," the coach told reporters Wednesday following Sunday's 47-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints. "… To be able to talk about the state of our organization and just kind of following up on games. I look forward to that process. … Those are private conversations that I'll keep to myself."

While the nature of Sunday's loss adds another layer to any meeting between head coach and owner, this was to be expected regardless of the outcome.

After all, the Panthers made it clear in their official announcement of Canales' hiring in January that he would report directly to Tepper. These conversations are surely part of that reporting process as the two important figures in the organization go over the de-facto state of the union.

Still, it was a rough start to Canales' career as a head coach.

The Saints jumped out to a 17-0 lead before the first quarter was even over and extended it to 30-3 by halftime. The result was never in doubt, and it was yet another ugly result for a Carolina team hoping to bounce back from last season's 2-15 mark.

Frankly, the NFC South team is still trying to overcome its trade with the Chicago Bears that happened before the 2023 season.

Carolina sent Chicago star wide receiver DJ Moore, the Nos. 9 and 61 picks of the 2023 draft, a 2024 first-rounder that turned into the No. 1 overall pick, and a 2025 second-rounder in exchange for the No. 1 pick of the 2023 draft.

The Bears have turned that haul into their starting quarterback in Caleb Williams, a starting offensive tackle in Darnell Wright, a starting cornerback in Tyrique Stevenson who was just named NFC Defensive Player of the Week, a starting punter in Tory Taylor and Moore.

Meanwhile, the Panthers used that No. 1 pick on Bryce Young, which, as of now, looks like a mistake since reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud went No. 2 overall to the Houston Texans.

Young has 11 touchdown passes to 12 interceptions in his career and turned it over twice in the loss to the Saints.

It seems like there are going to be more post-loss meetings in Canales' future before things potentially turn around in Carolina.