CHARLOTTE — (WLOS) – Since the 2015 season when the Carolina Panthers appeared in the Super Bowl and had a 15-1 regular season, it’s been an uphill battle ever since.

“My language to the group is, ‘I want to maximize the talent in this room. That’ll take us as far as we need to go, but that’s our focus,” said head coach Dave Canales.

Canales enters his second year in his first NFL coaching position. Quarterback Bryce Young enters his third. Cornerback, Jaycee Horn returns after a Pro Bowl season, and as a new father. The Panthers have gone 53-96 in the nine seasons since making the Super Bowl. And a decade later, there’s a new found stability.

“The same consistent guy, every single day. From the first time he addressed the team, to the last. He’s the same person in the practice field. From a player stand point, you really respect that consistency,” said Bryce Young.

“My expectation for Bryce is to lead this team. Which he never stopped doing, even last year with the challenges that were presented. His command of everything, we just picked up where we left off in the spring. To push our schemes and concepts forward. Because we want to master this, to add nuances,” said Canales.

“Best thing in the world, best thing in the world. I used to tell people all the time, being drafted in the NFL or NBA would be the best feeling in the world. But the first time I held my baby, that was the best feeling in the world. It’s just fun to go home every day to her, and it just makes life a lot better,” said Horn.

During practice, there was a play where Young was hit and lost the ball, a reminder that football is a violent game, and that health is wealth.

“Even some of the veteran guys came up at the end like, ‘hey, don’t back off of that, just be smart at the top.’ It takes all of us, we need to protect each other. Those decisions down the field, those plays in the pocket. Yeah, that was something we had to talk about,” said Canales.

When asked on what constitutes a successful season, Canales responded at length.[‘

“Weekly growth. Our focus is on having a great camp. Owning the system and working our way up to being ready to play week one. That’s the focus, I think with this group, with the group that we brought together, how quickly can we play together. How quickly can we communicate and put out the style of football that we want to play. I think this is going to be a very competitive team. I don’t think people are going to want to play us. My expectations for this group is high. It is every year.”