PANTHERS COACH DAVE CANALES CALLED OUT OVER RELUCTANT PLAY CALLING: TIME TO TAKE BRYCE YOUNG’S TRAINING WHEELS OFF

CAROLINA, NC — There’s no sugarcoating it - the Carolina Panthers are in a tough spot, and frustration is mounting on multiple fronts. With a defensive unit struggling to stop the run, create pressure, or make meaningful plays in the middle of the field, it's becoming increasingly clear that this team is stuck in repeat mode without a plan to break the cycle. That starts at linebacker—arguably the weakest corps in the league.

But if we’re talking about weak links, it’s impossible to ignore what’s happening on the offensive side of the ball—particularly when it comes to how the unit is being run. Head coach Dave Canales came into this job with the reputation of a quarterback-friendly offensive mind. But for a coach with that billing, Canales is playing things extremely safe.

Too safe.

Playcalling has been painfully conservative through the early stretch of the season, to the point that Canales is facing open calls from media and fans alike to open things up and let second-year quarterback Bryce Young actually take some control of the offense. The Panthers' approach—especially on third-and-long—has become a masterclass in risk aversion.

In Sunday’s loss, Canales called draw plays twice on third and long, opting for handoffs to Rico Dowdle rather than giving Young the green light to push the ball downfield. That’s the kind of decision-making that begs the question: “If you can’t trust your quarterback on third and 10, then why is he your guy?”

It’s a fair critique—but also, not the full story.

General manager Dan Morgan didn’t exactly set Canales and Young up with a high-octane arsenal. Trading away Adam Thielen—Young’s most reliable target from last season—right before the season raised plenty of eyebrows. Losing rookie Jalen Coker to injured reserve was another gut blow.

So here’s the bottom line.

If the Panthers want to see real development from Bryce Young, the training wheels have to come off. Fast.

He wasn’t drafted to hand the ball off on third and long. He was picked No. 1 overall to command an offense, attack defenses, and lead.

And while his play thus far—which has certainly had its ups and downs—hasn’t inspired breakout-level confidence yet, he's never going to take that next step in a system that doesn’t even give him the chance.

Canales has a decision to make—and he’s running out of time to make it. Either this becomes Bryce Young’s offense in both name and action, or it’s back to square one in Carolina. Again.