Training camp puts Panthers offensive changes to the test

TROY HULL

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young struggled in his first NFL season, so the team hired a new head coach and revamped the offense to help him going forward.

From the close of the deflating 2023 campaign to the opening of Wednesday’s first full-squad training camp practice, the new-look Carolina Panthers executed at least 76 roster transactions.
The makeover also include a new general manager, coach and nearly the entire offensive coaching staff.  

Many of the moves were designed to help second-year quarterback Bryce Young. The 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick endured a forgettable NFL baptism. Under constant duress and working with a receiver corps that failed to consistently gain separation, Young seemed to regress, lowlighted by back-to-back shutouts to end the season.  

Among 41 quarterbacks who delivered at least 160 passes, Young, who was sacked a franchise-record 62 times, ranked last at 5.5 yards per attempt. Pro Football Focus graded Young’s overall performance as the league’s third worst.

Dave Canales focused on Bryce Young

Since being hired in February, coach Dave Canales started preaching the value of 2.7 seconds. That’s the average time he prods the offensive line to give Young and the receivers to create what the Panthers lacked last season – a downfield passing game.

“I’ll be a crazy stickler about it," Canales said. “I’m selling to Ickey  [Ekwonu’, I’m selling to [Taylor] Moton. I’m selling to these tackles: ‘Guys, be aggressive. We’re going to get the ball out so that you can just be sound in your technique.’”

Approving the array of alterations, Panthers owner David Tepper pushed in all the franchise’s near-future chips to provide enough resources for Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, to play up to his potential.

Tepper leaned heavily on the recommendation of Morgan and Canales was a surprise hire considering he had one season of experience as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator. Canales’ reputation as a QB whisperer aided the unexpected hire. The Panthers also financed a $153 million free-agent price tag for free agent guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis and OKd the trade with Pittsburgh for former All-Pro Diontae Johnson as the top pass-catching threat.  

Adding more skill, Morgan drafted receiver Xavier Legette in the first round, second-round running back Jonathan Brooks and fourth-round tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders.
Young applauded the selections.

"It's always good to have new juice,'' he said.

Will Panthers’ offense add up in 2024?

Carolina’s offseason formula was basic math. A stronger interior offensive line will provide Young with time in the pocket, which allows pass plays to develop. The new playmakers are expected to do the rest. One plus two equals a more dangerous attack. At least an improvement on last season’s No. 32-ranked unit, which compiled just 265.3 yards per game.

Most of the changes were connected to improving the offense, beginning with quarterback play. A disciple of former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, Canales helped resurrect the careers of Russell Wilson and Geno Smith. He did the same last season with the Bucs’ Baker Mayfield, who went from being discarded by the Panthers in 2022 to signing a three-year, $100 million extension in March.

Young threw just 11 touchdown passes in 527 attempts, 2.1%, one of the lowest marks in the league. He did not record a TD pass longer than 18 yards.  

Appearing more muscular after an offseason weightlifting regimen, Young showed signs during June minicamp of developing better chemistry.  

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