Dave Canales reiterated the Carolina Panthers' commitment to quarterback Bryce Young for the 2026 season, but the coach said Tuesday in an interview on Stephen A. Smith's Sirius XM show that any talk of a potential long-term pact with Young will be the responsibility of the front office as Canales helps Young "take the next step" on the field.
Smith specifically asked Canales whether Young, who led the Panthers to an NFC South title last season, is the team's franchise quarterback.
"He is right now," Canales said with a smile. "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.
"Whether we're up or down, I love having Bryce out there," Canales continued. "I love that he stays cool, calm and collected and aggressive, and he attacks at the right time. So, all those things are pointing in the right direction -- I'll just let the rest of the stuff just sort itself out, with all the conversations with his whole group and party and our front office here with [general manager Dan Morgan and executive vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis] working that part out. But for me, especially now not calling plays, I get to just enjoy this road, help him improve on a daily basis and really take that input and get him to take the next step."