Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales opens up about quarterback Bryce Young as the preseason rolls on.
The Carolina Panthers are preparing for their final preseason game of the year as they host the Houston Texans on Friday. The two teams held a joint practice on Wednesday in Charlotte as they are looking to finish this preseason strong.
It's been a preseason in which the Panthers have had three games but we've seen quarterback Bryce Young appear in two games. Going into this season, one of the biggest questions surrounding the Panthers is Young.
They are coming off an 8-9 season, and while they won the NFC South, many are doubting them in 2026. They need to show improvement, including Young. As he goes into his fourth season, the Panthers picked up his fifth-year option but have yet to make a decision on his long-term future.
The Panthers want Young to earn it and the 2026 season will be a big one in terms of proving that.
On Tuesday, Dave Canales appeared on Stephen A. Smith's Sirius XM show and he was asked about his quarterback. He had an answer that backed up his quarterback rather than dragging him down.
Here is what Canales had to say about Young:
"He is right now... He's our guy -- he's our guy, and I love the trajectory that he's on. And not just the stuff that he's growing in -- from just an operational standpoint, moving the offense, finding chemistry and all that stuff -- but it's also just the critical moments, you know? It's those games, it's the close games, it's the one-score game at the end."
Canales continued on with the praise for Young in the interview. But it's clear that Young is going to need to show improvement this season and earn his long-term deal. If he doesn't, the Panthers are likely going to be in the market for another quarterback this offseason whether it be the draft or a veteran option.
On Wednesday, Young really struggled against the Texans defense in team drills which isn't a great sign. He does have the preseason game on Friday and then at least another week of preparation before the Week 1 showdown against Chicago. But the hope is that Young comes out and has a big season here in year four.
