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2025 NFL Preseason: Carolina Panthers Coach Dave Canales Playing Losing Game of ‘Almost’

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
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2025 NFL Preseason: Carolina Panthers Coach Dave Canales Playing Losing Game of ‘Almost’

Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales described Friday’s 30-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns during Friday’s NFL exhibition opener at Bank of America as a game of almosts.

The Panthers almost generated five sacks, but ended with two.

Defensive backs almost reached out to snare an interception or deflect a pass away, but came up short and failed to post a turnover.

The offense almost executed a few big plays, like wide receiver Jalen Coker’s one-handed 34-yard reception, but was denied by penalties and undisciplined play.

Canales’ view of the 20-point loss to could be a distraction to the fact the Browns are expected to be one of the NFL’s worst clubs in 2025 and a No. 4-string rookie quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, played into the third quarter.

Still, the ever-optimistic Canales insisted the level of play between the first stringers and the reserves is not wide as it looked Friday at Bank of America Stadium. Starting quarterback Bryce Young worked two series, capped by directing the first-team offense to a nine-play, 73-yard touchdown drive. The top defenders limited the Browns to just 58 yards during their initial three series.

Running against the third- and fourth-string defenders, Sanders and QB Tyler Huntley collected 30 straight points.

“It was a night of almost saying, can it be good enough,” Canales said Saturday during a video conference. “Going into the team meeting here shortly and I get to just talk to the guys about the critical variable, all these critical moments where it matters.

“I thought there were still too many moments, kind of sprinkled throughout the game, where we saw a lack of strain to finish. You know, finishing each play with great speed and getting the guys to trust that this is going to pay dividends as you push yourself.”

Panthers Get Play-Calling Assistance

As an organization, the Panthers vie to develop players and coaches.

Providing additional opportunities, offensive coordinator Brad Idzik and defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley called the plays for their respective units Friday.

Canales, who will call the plays during the regular season, remained a voice, but allowed Idzik to run the show.

“I had the call sheet there,” Canales said. “(Brad) kind of worked through a flow, worked through the openers, the first 15, so he kind of had (a) good amount of plays right there.

“I wanted him to get that opportunity to be able to function with the guys and feel the flow of the game.”

Canales pointed to the experiences Cooley handled.

“I think there were some pretty cool situations thrown at him,” Canales said. “Short-yardage situations, the red zone .

“I thought it was a really good challenge for Cooley to kind of see a lot of those different situations and gave us a lot to talk about as we came into the office this morning.”

Panthers’ Running Game Stumbles At Start

With Chuba Hubbard and key free-agent addition Rico Dowdle, a pair of 1,000-yard rushers last season, and rookie Trevor Etienne providing a third-down skillset, Canales’ run-first offense is expected to keep defenders off balance this season.

The Browns stood firm Friday.

Hubbard gained 10 yards on three rushes; Dowdle seven yards on three attempts and Etienne three yards on two carries. Etienne also fumbled a punt return.

As a team, the Panthers generated just 40 yards on 14 attempts. Emani Baily gained 19 yards on one second-half rush.

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  
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