CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan brought plenty of energy and enthusiasm to their introductory news conference Thursday.
The big question now: Can they bring wins?
That won’t be an easy task as they take over in their leadership roles for a team coming off a 2-15 record that was the worst in the NFL this season and a franchise that hasn’t been to the playoffs since David Tepper purchased it in 2018.
Carolina is 31-68 during that span, tied with the New York Jets for the worst record in the league.
“My timeline is today,” Canales said of winning. “It’s first-and-10, and I have a new set of downs and my whole call sheet is at my disposal — and I’ve got a bunch of fantastic people to go to work with today.”
Morgan, who spent seven seasons playing linebacker with the Panthers, returned to the team as its assistant GM in May 2021. He was promoted last week to replace Scott Fitterer as GM and director of football operations.
Morgan said that the culture in Carolina needs to change, and that starts with the personnel.
“When teams drive up to this stadium, we want them to fear that (Panthers) logo,” Morgan said. “Our logo has to be feared again, because right now it’s not. So we have to get that back.”
Morgan said that starts with finding some “dogs,” citing several former Carolina players as examples.
“We want players like Steve Smith who play with a chip on their shoulder: no holds barred, and he’s not taking any prisoners. We need those type of guys,” Morgan said. “And the instincts and tenacity of a Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly, guys like that who make plays. We need playmakers. And we need competitors like Jake Delhomme, guys that are going to compete in everything they do and are not going to stop until the win.”
Morgan added that he wants players who are “hungry” and going to “inflict pain on their opponents.”
Tepper, who has been criticized for micromanaging the football process, appears to be ready to take a step back.
The team owner introduced Canales and Morgan at the news conference but did not take questions. When asked afterward if he would consider doing interviews, Tepper responded, “No, I’m in the background now.”
Morgan wouldn’t say who will have the final say in personnel decisions between he and Canales, adding “it’s about constant communication and being aligned in everything that we do.”
Canales was hired to get the best out of quarterback Bryce Young, who won the 2021 Heisman Trophy at Alabama and was the No. 1 pick of last year’s NFL draft but struggled as a rookie with nearly as many interceptions (10) as touchdown passes (11).
Canales has experienced success working with smaller NFL quarterbacks such as Russell Wilson with the Seattle Seahawks and Baker Mayfield with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Carolina’s new coach is confident the 5-foot-10 1/2, 204-pound Young has the potential to be a great player.
This season, the Buccaneers won the NFC South title and beat the Philadelphia Eagles 32-9 in the first round of the playoffs in Canales’ first year as offensive coordinator. Carolina also competes in the NFC South and went 1-5 against division competition while finishing at the bottom of the standings.
Canales said he wants Carolina to develop an identity on offense, and he indicated establishing a running game is vital to taking some of the pressure off Young.
“There is a way to win games in the NFL, and it’s defense, it’s the run game and it’s an explosive pass game that comes off of that run game,” Canales said.
One of his goals will be getting the ball out of Young’s hands quicker. He was sacked 62 times in 2023, second most in the NFL behind Sam Howell of the Washington Commanders.
“In the pass game, it’s getting the ball out in 2.7 seconds or less,” Canales said, adding that was “a really important number for us in Seattle. Being able to track that for decision making, for route timing and protection, that all kind of fits into that really good brand of football that is complementary.”
He also said protecting the ball will be a priority.
Panthers offensive lineman Austin Corbett said he liked the energy he saw from Canales on Thursday, with the guard saying “you can tell it’s not fake, either. It’s easy to see through when it’s fake.”
Canales has plenty of work ahead of him, including filling out his staff.
There has been speculation he’ll bring on Bucs wide receivers coach Brad Idzik as his offensive coordinator, but the Panthers said that deal hasn’t been completed. Regardless, Canales will call plays on offense.
Canales also said he hopes the Panthers can retain Ejiro Evero as defensive coordinator. Evero, who is still under contact with Carolina, interviewed for head coaching jobs with the Panthers, Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons. The Panthers have denied him permission to interview with other NFL teams for a lateral move.