Dave Canales Declares Panthers Elite Threat: “Other Teams Won’t Want to Play Us”
By Edwin V. Christopher
At the start of the Carolina Panthers’ 2025 training camp, head coach Dave Canales issued a bold declaration: he believes his team will become the kind of opponent other franchises dread facing. “The sky’s the limit for this group,” Canales told reporters at practice, adding: “This is going to be a very competitive team. I don’t think people are going to want to play us by the style of football that we play. I’m expecting that. My expectations are really high for this group.” His comments signal a notable shift in tone from his rookie season, reflecting both a boosted team identity and growing confidence across the roster Canales’s optimism stems from the Panthers’ strong finish to last season, when they won four of their final nine games after starting 1–7—showcasing flashes of competitiveness even against elite opponents. The team took eventual Super Bowl champions Kansas City and Philadelphia to the wire, suggesting their foundation may support a leap forward in 2025 Reflecting that broader promise, Panthers fans have grown increasingly bullish: confidence in the direction of the franchise climbed from 85% at season’s end to 93% by May, and has surged to 97% as training camp approaches—driven by roster moves, draft additions like Tetairoa McMillan, and defensive upgrades Canales attributes the cultural shift to continuity and leadership. Unlike recent seasons marked by coaching turnover and instability, Carolina now returns the same head coach, general manager Dan Morgan, and quarterback Bryce Young for the first time since 2019. That consistency, combined with veteran leadership, builds credibility for Canales’s bold statements Players such as Robert Hunt, Chuba Hubbard, Jaycee Horn and Bryce Young have stepped into vocal leadership roles aligned with Canales’s emphasis on a player-driven culture. Hunt said the team is energized and hungry to compete—stating that this city is “looking for it” and that the energy around camp is significantly elevated from a year ago Canales’s messaging resonated right away in camp drills: rookie edge rusher Princely Umanmielen applied consistent pressure, strip-sacking Young in practice—a tone-setting moment that players say reflects the toughness Canales wants to instill. Canales has reworked the offense around tempo, rhythm-based reads, and Young’s strengths, emphasizing mental sharpness and execution under pressure While the Panthers still carry the label of a rebuilding franchise, Canales believes their trajectory aligns with playoff contention. Despite seven straight losing seasons and a 5–12 record last year, he contends the team now projects legitimacy: “I don’t think people are going to want to play us”—a message designed to reset perceptions across the league The upcoming season pits expectation against measured skepticism. Betting markets give Carolina long postseason odds (+225 for making playoffs). Yet analysts rank the Panthers near 26th or 27th in post-draft power rankings, citing continued uncertainty despite offseason moves. Drafting Michigan standout cornerback Will Johnson, boosting the secondary with Jaycee Horn’s extension, and adding free-agent depth are viewed as part of a long-term build rather than an instant turnaround Canales’s confidence also reflects lessons learned in Year 1. Last offseason, he was untested and faced criticism amid early struggles. But decisions like benching Bryce Young in favor of Andy Dalton showed conviction and earned locker room trust. In contrast, Young’s late-season resurgence under Canales’s guidance is now seen as validation of the coach’s long-term trust in the quarterback and his process Canales emphasizes that the team’s growth is from the ground up. He expects players to lead the culture—mentoring rookies, holding each other accountable, and embodying his vision. He notes that he no longer wants to be at the center of attention: when the team functions at its best, players lead and drive performance collectively The coach’s high expectations also have a practical tone: the Panthers defense, historically among the league’s worst, has been revamped through free agency and the draft. The roster now features established players like Horn, along with impact newcomers and rising stars poised to elevate performance Offense continuity is another key. Returning Young, familiar coaching staff, and emerging talent give Canales confidence that execution will improve and that opponents will feel pressure dealing with Carolina’s style and tempo. Canales has said his expectation is not empty rhetoric—it’s built on tangible improvements and organizational momentum At its core, Canales’s proclamation is as much about psychology as strategy: by positioning the Panthers as a feared opponent early, he seeks to shift the narrative around a historically underperforming franchise and instill belief internally and externally. That belief may become a self-fulfilling prophecy if performance follows rhetoric. Whether the Panthers can back the coach’s talk with wins remains to be seen. For now, Dave Canales has drawn a line in the sand. He expects high-level competitiveness, believes in his team’s identity—and wants the rest of the league to take notice.