Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales opened up about why he's looking forward to coaching Kenny Pickett.
The Carolina Panthers have a new No. 2 QB.
After trading Andy Dalton to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Panthers signed Kenny Pickett, a player head coach Dave Canales is looking forward to coaching.
"I believe this is a player who's on the rise, who's trending towards having another opportunity as a starter," Canales said of Pickett, via Panthers.com. "He's not here to do that. He's not here to compete with Bryce to be the starter. But I see a guy like Geno Smith, like Baker Mayfield, like Sam Darnold. I see a guy who's accumulating enough playtime and experience and exposure to different systems, seeing different defenses, with his ability, with his mind, um, the way that he works, I see a guy that's going to have another opportunity.
"I love being a part of that story. And I love that he chose to come to Carolina to take the next step in his career. And I just want to be a part of that story and to see where he goes from there."
Pickett has played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Eagles and Las Vegas Raiders. He has 4,953 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns and 16 interceptions in his career.
The Eagles won Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs. Pickett was on Philadelphia, serving as Jalen Hurts' backup.
Pickett and Panthers starting QB Bryce Young shared the Heisman stage in 2021. Young won the prestigious award, with Pickett coming in third.
"Bryce is a great guy,'' Pickett said after signing with the Panthers. "I respect him and his journey that he's been on. It seems like he's constantly working, constantly trying to improve. So definitely looking forward to working with him.''
Young finished the 2025 season with 3,011 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 216 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He led the Panthers to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 campaign.
Pickett will be the Panthers' No. 2 QB behind Young, who enters next season with 8,291 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns, 30 interceptions, 718 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in a Carolina uniform.
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