Charlotte, N.C. — The new-look Carolina Panthers hit the field on Wednesday for the first day of training camp.

Among the lead storylines was the sight of coach Dave Canales, who reported to his first training camp session with the team at the practice facility in Charlotte.

Canales said he spoke with Tony Dungy, who Canales described as a mentor, and Pete Carroll over the summer for advice entering his first season as head coach. The 43-year-old Canales was offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023, helping them to a playoff appearance.

“I think the part that made me a little anxious is I know I can’t walk into this with 30 years of head coaching experience,” Canales said. “I want to continue to challenge myself to see it all. [I want to] see it happening, not just from the offensive side.”

Canales said he expects fully installing the offense and getting the needed comfort level for players to take about eight practices. A primary goal for Canales will be getting a better season out of second-year quarterback and 2023 top pick Bryce Young.

Young threw 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his rookie season, completing 59.8% of his passes. He was sacked the second-most times in the league – 62 times in 16 games. Young turns 23 on Thursday and faces an important season after the Panthers upgraded their wide receiver and offensive line units.

A likely top target for Young is the acquisition of wide receiver Diontae Johnson. Canales said the two are building chemistry.

“For Bryce, I think it’s about learning this mover,” Canales said. “Diontae’s a special mover. He’s really explosive.”

First-round pick Xavier Legette is a part of the wide receiver boost. Legette said he didn’t have the first day he envisioned, saying he still needs to master the playbook.

“It started pretty slow for me,” Legette said. “I feel I wasn’t really good with attention to detail today, so I need to buy in on that for the rest of our practices.”

The Panthers are looking to improve from a forgettable 2-15 season in which coach Frank Reich was fired after losing 10 of the first 11 games. Reich’s tenure was the shortest for an NFL head coach in 45 years.

“Yesterday, we had a bunch of meetings and I could tell guys were just chomping at the bit to get out there and get to work,” Canales said.

Carolina starts the preseason on Aug. 8 at New England. The regular season starts on Sept. 8 with a road game against the New Orleans Saints.

Source: wralsportsfan.com