If Part 1 focused on Bryce Young and the demands of the quarterback position, Part 2 shifts to the man responsible for shaping him and the entire Carolina offense.
Head coach and play caller Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers, was brought in to stabilize the Panthers, craft a quarterback-friendly system, and restore a disciplined, physical offensive identity. For stretches of the season, that vision seemed within reach. But the last few weeks have exposed cracks in the foundation, raising questions about Canales’ decision-making, adaptability, and commitment to Carolina’s identity.
Leadership Sets the Tone
Every coach I spoke with emphasized a simple truth: teams follow the energy, consistency, and confidence of their leader. That principle applies equally to head coaches. Canales’ decisions set the tone, his demeanor sets the standard, and his choices shape the team’s identity.
Right now, the Panthers look like a team struggling to understand the plan from week to week. Bryce Young’s development is crucial, but the environment he operates in matters just as much. As one coach explained:
“Sometimes a new coach simplifies things, and a quarterback becomes a different player. They need structure and clarity. Coaching can make the game faster or slower.”
In Carolina’s case, clarity has been the problem. Dave Canales Carolina Panthers must provide that leadership consistently. Accountability alone isn’t enough. The team needs a coach who can turn lessons into action.
The Run Game Mystery: Why Abandon What Works?
Nothing highlights Carolina’s inconsistency more than the vanishing run game. Against the 49ers, Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard combined for just nine carries, despite averaging 6.3 and 5.3 yards per attempt.
Fans were baffled. Analysts were baffled. Even players were confused. Dowdle posted a confused emoji after the game, prompting questions to Canales.
Have you spoken to Dowdle about it, Canales? “I have not.”
Will you? “Not right now.”
When the run game thrives, Carolina wins. They are 5–0 this season when rushing 30+ times. Yet in the last three games, the Panthers managed just 209 total rushing yards, failing to reach 100 yards in any outing. Once a top-five unit, the running game now ranks 11th. This isn’t a personnel problem. It’s a philosophy problem. The Falcons game provided an exciting change of strategy for the Panthers, but they are fundamentally a running football team.
One running back was blunt:
“Everybody knows… we should’ve run the ball. Coach took ownership of it. We took ownership as players. But we know what we have to do.”
Accountability Matters, But Only If It Leads to Action
To his credit, Canales hasn’t shied away from criticism. He addressed the team, the running backs, and the media.
“I try to be transparent… I own the areas where I could be better. We’re all accountable to each other.”
“I’m a youngish play caller. Every week is a lesson for me. I’m learning. We’re all trying to improve.”
This is where Canales earns respect. But accountability without follow-through is hollow. Carolina needs a coach who can convert lessons into results.
Canales’ Track Record and the Mayfield Connection
Dave Canales was hired largely because of his success with Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay, where he helped revitalize the former No. 1 overall pick’s career. Mayfield praised Canales’ approach:
“I think [Canales and Idzik] together around Bryce is gonna be good for him,” Mayfield said. “Dave’s the definition of an optimist bully. It could be the worst day ever, everything could be going wrong and he’s sitting there, he’s like ‘Guys, we got the next play!’ He’s got a big ol’ smile on his face and you’re like ‘This guy’s full of sh–’ but no. That’s literally who he is day in and day out and it’s honestly refreshing.”
There’s a duality at play. Mayfield is both a rival in the Bucs-Panthers matchup and someone who understands what Bryce Young is experiencing as a young quarterback. Bryce’s rookie season was turbulent, burdened by a disorganized offense and midseason coaching turnover. Canales promised to provide clarity and structure. But results will only come if he follows through.
This also ties into Bryce’s possible outlier performance against the Falcons, when he threw for over 400 yards. That game may have temporarily altered the Panthers’ approach, suggesting Bryce was turning a corner. In reality, it was likely just a statistical anomaly, not a trend. Canales now faces the challenge of building consistent performance, rather than chasing flashes of brilliance. A responsibility that rests squarely on his shoulders as head coach.
Where Canales Must Improve
Based on conversations with coaches, players, and analysts, here’s what Carolina needs from Canales over the next six weeks. These aren’t just suggestions; they reflect areas where his decisions directly affect the offense, making him accountable for both successes and failures:
- Recommit to the Run Game – Make it the foundation of the offense, not a situational afterthought.
- Build Bryce Young’s Confidence – Confidence comes from understanding the offense and trusting the “why” behind each play.
- Improve Situational Discipline – Third-and-medium, red zone, scripted drives, and four-minute offense all reflect coaching fingerprints.
- Show Adaptability, Not Stubbornness – Stubborn in the run game can be good; stubborn in play calling is not. Adjust week to week.
- Lead with Calm, Clarity, and Consistency – Just like a quarterback, a coach cannot ride emotional highs and lows.
The Pressure Is on the Head Coach
Bryce Young’s development is essential, but Canales’ ability to evolve, adjust, and enforce his offensive vision will ultimately decide the Panthers’ season. He doesn’t need to be perfect; he needs to be consistent, accountable, and true to the identity he promised: run the ball, protect the quarterback, build confidence, and give Carolina a chance every week.
The Panthers’ success depends on the combined growth of Bryce Young and the clarity, consistency, and leadership of Dave Canales. Part 1 explained the quarterback’s role. Part 2 shows that the responsibility now lies with the coach to deliver on that vision and accept accountability when it falters.
Main Photo: [Brett Davis] – Imagn Images
The post Coaching in Crisis: Dave Canales and Carolina’s Offensive Identity appeared first on Last Word on NFL.