But Canales isn\u2019t necessarily pushing the idea of drafting a quarterback this month.<\/p>\n
The team\u2019s brass has routinely emphasized its support of starting quarterback Bryce Young<\/a> throughout the offseason. On Monday, Canales also discussed his excitement in getting to work with new backup QB Kenny Pickett<\/a>.<\/p>\n How about the intrigue of developing a young QB behind Young and Pickett<\/a>? Not so much.<\/p>\n \u201cNot really,\u201d Canales told The Charlotte Observer during NFL annual meeting. \u201cI prefer guys that have been trained. … Kenny Pickett\u2019s been trained. I hope to accent his training.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite his development-first mindset, Canales hasn\u2019t worked with a drafted quarterback from scratch in quite some time. While Young was in his second season when Canales took over in 2024, project passers have mostly eluded the head coach.<\/p>\n Jack Plummer, who is now playing for the United Football League\u2019s Orlando Storm, spent the bulk of the 2024 season on the practice squad as a third arm. Otherwise, journeymen like Mike White and Hendon Hooker have taken on that role.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we draft a guy, there\u2019s going to be a lot of time invested,\u201d Canales said. \u201cThat\u2019s a great opportunity for (newly promoted pass game coordinator) Mike Bercovici to be all-hands on deck. We\u2019ve got to teach him everything. And all of us will be involved in helping him, but I just love bringing in a third (QB) whose had playing time experience and been around a couple of spots.\u201d<\/p>\n Canales has worked with the likes of Sean Mannion, John Wolford, Kyle Trask and Austin Davis during his coaching career. Geno Smith, who eventually became the starting QB in Seattle, also fit the mold of journeyman passer.<\/p>\n The head coach enjoys learning about the experiences of journeyman backups. Those conversations can lead to new perspectives and different approaches.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018So, you were in L.A., tell me about that. When you were in Buffalo, how did you handle this particular protection?\u2019 And these guys just bring such a flavor of like other ways to do things,\u201d Canales said.<\/p>\n But just because Canales prefers experience over upside with his depth QBs, it doesn\u2019t mean the Panthers will pass on a potential project in the draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Panthers should have quite a few options if they go down that road<\/a>, especially if they\u2019re looking to save some cash for the long haul. And there\u2019s no shame in investing a late-round pick on a prospect at the most important position in the sport.<\/p>\n
![\"Profile](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1773402122_478_hSbEjCI3_400x400.jpg\")