Why Panthers’ Dave Canales wants to be part of Kenny Pickett’s NFL story
Dave Canales knows a thing or two about quarterback redemption stories. The Carolina Panthers’ coach has guided quite a few once-panned passers to success after long bouts with adversity.
Now in his third year with Carolina, Canales has identified another signal-caller who he thinks is on the cusp of a turnaround. And he’s eager to work with former first-round pick Kenny Pickett as the team’s new No. 2 quarterback behind Bryce Young.
“I believe this is a player who’s on the rise, who’s trending toward having another opportunity as a starter,” Canales said Monday at the NFL annual meeting in Phoenix. “He’s not here to do that. He’s not here to compete with Bryce to be the starter. But I see a guy like Geno Smith, like Baker Mayfield, like Sam Darnold.”
Canales wants to be part of turnaround ‘story’ for Pickett
Pickett was selected with the 20th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022. After two sub-par seasons as a starter, he was shipped to Philadelphia to be the backup to Pro Bowl quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Pickett ended up winning a Super Bowl ring with the Eagles, as Hurts led Philadelphia to a Lombardi trophy following the 2024 season. The following offseason, Pickett was traded to the Cleveland Browns. And then, following the 2025 preseason, Pickett was dealt to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Pickett is now on his fifth team in five seasons. But Canales is more focused on Pickett’s experience than his journeyman resume as he gets ready to replace Andy Dalton.
“I see a guy who’s accumulating enough playing time and experience and exposure to different systems — seeing different defenses with his ability, with his mind, the way that he works — I see a guy who’s going to have another opportunity,” Canales said. “And I love being a part of that story. And I love that he chose to come to Carolina to kind of take the next step in his career. I just want to be a part of that story and see where he goes from here.”
Why Pickett could be an important teammate for Young
As Young prepares for an all-important fourth season with the Panthers, Pickett will serve as his immediate insurance policy. He will also be a sounding board for the 2023 first overall pick.
With Young looking to earn a long-term extension and push the Panthers forward in the NFC playoff picture, Pickett’s insight and experience could be valuable assets during the upcoming campaign.
New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore, who served as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator in 2024, oversaw Pickett’s first season in the backup role.
“Backup quarterbacks, obviously, are a really important role,” Moore said Monday. “And Kenny did an excellent job in Philadelphia for us.”
Moore, who was a career backup QB in the NFL before turning to coaching, believes the No. 2 position is largely about preparation. That player — in this case, Pickett — is one hit away from leading an NFL offense in a potentially season-altering game.
“I think the first thing and the most important thing is, at the end of the day, you’re still the quarterback, and you need to be prepared for your opportunity,” Moore said. “And so Kenny is a great example. He played the back-end of a game at Washington. He played the next week against Dallas at home, led us to a victory there. It’s just a great example of him being prepared and ready to go. So I think you gotta start there. You gotta be prepared.”
Moore also saw Pickett’s work behind the scenes in supporting Hurts in the film room and practice. Pickett could have a similar influence on Young, who is now the unquestioned face of the offense.
“You’re part of the preparation process,” Moore said. “It’s important that they can kind of help complement the starting quarterback and his preparation. And kind of be another set of eyes. And again, every room is going to be structured differently, but (it’s about) what he can do to help that guy be prepared.”
While the Panthers could still draft Young’s long-term backup in April, Pickett will be his immediate No. 2 in 2026. If all goes well, perhaps, Pickett could be looked at as starting competition elsewhere in 2027.
The Panthers are gambling on Pickett’s intangibles. And with Young in front of him, there’s not a lot of risk to that bet.
Canales, in particular, sees the upside in the addition, not only for Carolina, but Pickett as well.
