The Carolina Panthers have bold ambitions to gain respectability next season. Dave Canales is the man tasked with getting this roster up to speed after his surprising appointment to head coach. He didn't shirk the perceived poisoned chalice, embracing it fully and genuinely believing his methods could help this franchise get back on its feet.
It's not going to happen overnight. This was a two-win team last season that descended into complete embarrassment across the board. Canales seems to be improving the confidence in his players, but starting well is the only way fans will be convinced this project can be successful.
Canales made no secret of his belief things can take a positive turn quickly. He's working on the fundamentals in all phases and implementing schematic concepts offensively that seem better suited to the options available. Some glaring questions surrounding certain position groups could hold them back, but showing signs of life looks well within their capabilities.
The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator seems to be aiming higher. With this in mind, here are three ambitious goals the Panthers can aim for in 2024.
Carolina Panthers increase sacks per game by 1.0
Generating consistent pressure proved challenging for the Carolina Panthers in 2024. Brian Burns and Derrick Brown performed well, but it was lackluster aside from that. This has to change if the defense wants to remain competitive after some significant departures throughout the offseason.
Burns was traded to the New York Giants. Frankie Luvu left for the Washington Commanders in free agency. Yetur Gross-Matos - who emerged as a dependable rotational piece after transitioning to a 3-4 outside linebacker - departed for the San Francisco 49ers. Jadeveon Clowney, D.J. Wonnum, and K'Lavon Chaisson signed, but whether they can hit the ground running remains to be seen.
The Panthers were dead-last in sacks per game last season with 1.6. If Dave Canales and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero can get this up by 1.0 in 2024, it'll do their chances the world of good.
This puts them middle of the pack league-wide based on recent numbers. However, it represents a significant step in the right direction after becoming a bottom feeder during the previous campaign.
Carolina Panthers become a top-five rushing team
Dave Canales has one primary goal in mind for the Carolina Panthers' offense in 2024. He wants his team to run the football effectively and frequently. He wants them to be physical and take the heat off quarterback Bryce Young. The moves made throughout his first offseason suggest this goal can be achieved.
The Panthers spent lavish sums to land Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis in free agency. They'll become the team's starting offensive guard tandem, bringing a level of aggression and nastiness that was sorely lacking during the previous campaign.
Carolina added to the running back room despite the presence of Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders on the roster. Raheem Blackshear re-signed. Rashaad Penny reunited with Canales after the pair formed a relationship with the Seattle Seahawks. The Panthers also traded up to secure the services of Jonathon Brooks at No. 46 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
This is a lot of firepower. Not everyone will make the team, but raising competition and heightening standards should lead to improved production when competitive action commences.
Canales' improved blocking concepts can also help the offensive line. Ikem Ekwonu looks set to benefit more than most after the left tackle went through severe complications in Year 2 of his professional career. Most of them were his doing, but the Panthers are confident he can galvanize his performance levels under more progressive coaches.
Fans are approaching these changes with cautious optimism. The pieces are in place. Whether they can come together quickly will ultimately determine their fate.
The Panthers ranked No. 20 in rushing yards per game last season with 104.1. Given the improvements and run-first mentality under Canales' guidance, it would be extremely disappointing if things didn't improve drastically next time around.
If Canales' plans bear fruit, perhaps becoming a top-five rushing attack isn't out of the realm of possibility. That's ambitious - especially considering the Buffalo Bills ranked No. 5 last season with 135.4 rushing yards per game. But it's something the head coach will be striving to achieve as part of his more expansive scheme.
Carolina Panthers win the NFC South
The Carolina Panthers descended into the NFL's laughingstock last season. They performed abysmally for the most part en route to a league-worst record. They didn't even have the No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft to show for it after handing it over to the Chicago Bears as part of their trade for quarterback Bryce Young.
Most expect this to be a progressive journey back to contention. The Panthers have to walk before they can run. Dave Canales must get things fundamentally sound and play efficient football within the devised systems. That sounds simple, but it's something the previous two head coaches couldn't implement consistently enough.
Nobody is expecting miracles from the Panthers. Most analysts predict another year of turmoil to secure another high-end draft pick. That's not an opinion shared by Canales, who believes his team can become one of the NFL's surprise packages if everything goes according to plan and they get some good luck on the health front.
Attaining a winning record might be a stretch. Winning the NFC South seems like a pipedream. However, anything can happen in the NFL and teams go from worst to first all the time.
This isn't the strongest division compared to others across the league. The Atlanta Falcons are favored to triumph thanks to the addition of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. The New Orleans Saints have questions to answer after another offseason manipulating the salary cap. Baker Mayfield is back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but their fortunes remain precarious despite keeping their top stars around.
It's a tough challenge awaiting the Panthers, who are expected to be bottom of the division barrel once again. Canales thinks they can shock a few, but seeing is believing after fans were fooled by sold false promises and offseason delusions before.
Time will tell, but all signs point to Canales leading the Panthers on a gradual renaissance in the coming years.
